Kessler Returns To Starting Lineup Against Atlanta

Henry Kessler played 90 minutes alongside Xavier Arreaga in the 2-1 win.

Photo Courtesy of the New England Revolution

Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Atlanta United marked Henry Kessler’s first minutes since May 25. The center back was happy to be back on the field.

Kessler was a regular contributor for Caleb Porter during the early part of the season, starting 12 straight games before being suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Dave Romney stepped in to pair with Xavier Arreaga, helping secure a 2-1 win over Nashville SC. Romney and Arreaga started together for the next five games, four of which were wins.

Kessler returned to the lineup on Wednesday, playing 90 minutes alongside Arreaga.

“I thought Henry Kessler today was excellent, so I hope that doesn't go under the radar,” Porter said during his post-game press conference. “I thought he came in and did an excellent job. He was hungry.

“I felt with us giving up five goals [against the Columbus Crew] that we needed a little hunger in there. I talked to Dave, I told him I wasn't dropping him. He wasn't not playing because he didn't do well. It was because I just needed to rotate to get us some fresh legs in there.

But I loved Kessler's mentality today. He's been kind of seething sitting there. We win four games, he can't do anything about it, he kind of loses his job, and I knew there'd be a time when we needed him and he would come in and repay that faith. That was great to see today as well.”

Kessler was solid on the night as he had 52 touches, completed 34 of 35 passes, and was 2/2 on tackles. He also had two blocks, eight clearances, and six recoveries.

Kessler, now in his fifth year with the New England Revolution, said he was “glad to be back on the field.” He noted that other than the injury last year, this was the longest stretch of his career that he’s been on the sidelines.

"It’s frustrating because I felt like I was playing well,” Kessler said. “My mentality was just train really hard and be ready for when my number does get called.”

This isn’t the first time a player has performed well when asked to step into the lineup. In fact, Porter likes that players are shining when given an opportunity.

“Since Mark-Anthony [Kaye] has been out, Ian [Harkes] gets the run and that's what you want to see,” Porter said. When Kessler comes out, you want to see Romney step in and take the job. When Mark comes out, you want to see Ian take the job. When Dylan [Borrero] is out, you want to see Noel [Buck] take the job.

“So, you just want to see guys that step in and give you something to think about. I think when Mark gets back, I'm going to have to think about that. At center back, I think we've got three very good guys that we can pick now. We do have, I think, three more windows where we have three games in a week, so we're going to need to rotate in those games.”