Alhassan Yusuf Set to Play Important Role for Revolution in 2025

“He was brought here to be a key cog in our game model."

Photo By J. Alexander Dolan

Alhassan Yusuf is on the precipice of beginning his first full season in Major League Soccer and the midfielder appears poised to play a large role for the New England Revolution.

Amidst a team that had nothing good going for it in 2024, Yusuf was a bright spot. The former Royal Antwerp midfielder brought some much-needed quality to the midfield and in just seven games played was able to tally two assists.

Revolution head coach Caleb Porter will be relying on Yusuf to run things in the middle of the pitch.

“He was brought here to be a key cog in our game model,” Porter said. “Two center mids, the six-eight, those are really key guys in the way we want to play on both sides of the ball. Being able to control the game with the ball and dictate the tempo, to also break lines and to play vertically, to push on and join the attack. On the defensive side, to be able to help us press the opponent, win duels, and launch counter attacks. So, we feel like he is a very good profile. He had a great end of the year in those eight games he played. It wasn’t much, I wish we had him longer, but I think you’ll see his impact this year. Building off of last year, it’s going to be a very good one.”

Yusuf is a true box-to-box midfielder. His motor seems to always be running high and he isn’t afraid to lay a physical challenge. Still, the midfielder has some great vision and can see passing lanes that others can’t.

Porter’s style of play has been characterized by quality in the midfield. Wheter it be at the No. 10 with the likes of Lucas Zelarayan and Diego Valeri or in less advanced roles with Darlington Nagbe playing key roles in Porter’s two MLS Cups.

If Porter and the Revolution are to find similar success — or simply to not miss the playoffs as they did in 2024 — Yusuf will play a key role.