MLS All-Star Notebook: Olger Escobar, Carles Gil, Jon Bell, and Darrius Barnes
Darrius Barnes won the Creators Cup!
The Blazing Musket is down in Washington D.C. to attend the MLS All-Star Game. Here are some notes from Tuesday.
Olger Escobar Happy To Be An MLS Next All-Star
It’s been quite the year for 16-year-old Olger Escobar.
The attacker collected 15 goals for the Revs U-17s during the 2022-23 regular season, helping him earn the U-17 MLS NEXT MVP title.
Internationally, he played for Guatemala at the U-17 CONCACAF Championship, scoring four goals while helping his country get to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2013.
On Wednesday, he will represent the New England Revolution at the MLS NEXT All-Star Game.
“[I’m] looking forward to it a lot,” Escobar said about the game. “It’s going to be very exciting, to see the most talented players play at the same time.”
On Tuesday, Escobar watched Carles Gil, Djordje Petrovic, and the rest of the MLS All Stars train on the National Mall. The Malden, MA native noted that he looks up to the Revs representatives.
“I’m a young Academy kid that’s getting called into the MLS NEXT All-Star Game,” Escobar said. “My goal is to reach their goal, which is get here.”
Tim Parker Praises Jon Bell
Jon Bell got his first start for St. Louis CITY SC on Jul. 12, going 68 minutes against LAFC.
“I think it was really good to see him get minutes against LAFC because he’s been grinding all year,” Tim Parker told The Blazing Musket. “He’s coming back from a couple of different knocks that he’s taken throughout the year, so it’s good to see him get minutes.”
Bell was selected in the 2022 Expansion Draft, ending his two-year stint with the Revolution. It can be difficult to go to a new club, but the defender is fitting in just fine with St. Louis.
“JB is awesome,” Parker remarked. “He was my roommate in preseason, so I got to know him pretty well, pretty quickly. He’s a really good dude.”
Carles Gil Comments on Summer Transfers
The Revs have been active this summer, adding midfielders Ian Harkes, Mark-Anthony Kaye, and Tomas Chancalay.
Harkes has looked comfortable during his brief time, contributing 177 minutes in three appearances (two starts). His best outing so far came against D.C. United when he scored two goals in a 4-0 win.
While Kaye and Chancalay haven’t played a game for the Revs yet, they have the pedigree to be solid contributors.
The hope is that these additions will fit in nicely as the Revs look to make a run at the elusive MLS Cup.
“Hopefully they will help us,” Gil said about the summer transfers. “We’ve had many injuries this year, so hopefully we will progress on some players and we will be full for the end of the season.”
Darrius Barnes Wins Tournament
Darrius Barnes still has it as the former Revs defender helped Orange Slices win Bodyarmor’s 3v3 Creators Cup tournament. The team also featured Heath Pearce, Calen Carr, Mitch Goulet, and Maurice Edu.
The fun event, held on the rooftop of Union Market, also featured former Revs players Patrick Mullins and Jalil Anibaba.