Mark-Anthony Kaye Talks About Leaving Toronto, Joining The Revs
Kaye: “[I'm] excited to be part of a team that is competing to win trophies and has done, so far in the season, really well."
Mark-Anthony Kaye is focusing on helping the New England Revolution after his time with Toronto FC didn’t exactly go as planned.
Kaye joined Toronto in Jul. 2022 in a move that reunited him with his coach at LAFC, Bob Bradley. He contributed two goals and two assists in 29 appearances for his hometown club before being traded to the Revs in Jul. 2023 in a transaction that sent Latif Blessing the other way.
“My time in Toronto was different than I hoped and different than a lot of people hoped, but things didn't go as planned and the club needed to start making decisions on how they wanted to move forward, so it is what it is,” Kaye said.
He continued, “Toronto was my home. My family is there. My wife was enjoying life there, but it’s part of football. Moves like this happen, so I'm just looking forward to my time now in New England and not really looking back at my time in Toronto.”
Kaye has been a part of three trades since joining the league in 2018. He said that he had more communication in the most recent one, adding, “I really appreciate the way that New England handled this whole situation, and Toronto on their part, too.”
On Jul. 14, head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena said that Kaye “is an addition that'll help our team.” He specifically noted the midfielder’s defensive contributions, saying, “He leads the league in tackles, which is an area we can be better at in the middle third of the field.”
While Kaye can certainly help out defensively, he’s also adept at carrying the ball forward.
“I think some of my best attributes are actually my ability on the ball, find key passes to play forward,” Kaye said. “Tackling is something that I had to pick up during my time in Toronto and tried to help out more defensively in the role I was put in due to injuries and stuff, but it's helped me develop that aspect of my game, so I'm happy to know that people have seen that and are appreciative of that quality.
“So, I'm definitely going to make sure that that's something I add here and continue to improve on, but yeah, I'm excited to be a guy who can get on the ball and help us defend well, but also attack well.”
Kaye is ready to do all he can to help a team that’s currently second in the Eastern Conference.
He complimented the Revs, saying they have “a real identity and [are] mature about the way they go about things.” He likes that “there is a lot of players who are good on the ball and very fluid in their movement.”
Kaye said it might take some time for him to adjust to his new team, but he’s ready to get started. His first chance to see the field is Saturday when the Revs travel to New Jersey to face the New York Red Bulls.
“I'm excited to be here,” Kaye said. “Excited to be part of a team that is competing to win trophies and has done, so far in the season, really well. So, I'm just looking to come in and be an addition, and help the team continue the momentum they’re on.”