Jackson Yueill Scouting Report

MLS expert Favian Renkel lets us know what to expect from New England's newest midfielder

Photo Courtesy of New England Revolution

The New England Revolution recently acquired former San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Jackson Yueill. MLS expert and journalist for SBI Favian Renkel gives us the lowdown on what to expect from the MLS veteran.

TBM: What was your reaction when it was announced that Jackson wasn't returning? What was the general fan reaction?

FR: Honestly, most fans were already out on Jackson Yueill. As captain of the Black and Blue, many expected him to foster a more cohesive locker room atmosphere. Filling Chris Wondolowski's shoes as the Quakes' captain was never going to be easy, but Yueill fell short. While he was always great with fans and built a strong connection with the supporters' group, he lacked the vocal leadership the team desperately needed on the pitch.

Jackson grew up in front of the Black and Blue faithful, becoming their USMNT representative for several years. Although many USMNT fans didn’t rate him highly, Quakes fans consistently had his back, and Jackson never forgot that support. His time in San Jose wasn’t without challenges—he played under four different coaches in four years: Matías Almeyda, Alex Covelo, Luchi Gonzalez, and now Bruce Arena.

Jackson has all the tools to thrive as a starter for a team with an established structure and clear roles. That stability was never the case in San Jose, and the writing was on the wall that this partnership had run its course.

TBM: Overall What type of player is Jackson? What style of play suits him best?

FR: A solid MLS-level starter, Yueill developed an excellent long ball but grew more cautious with his passing as the years went on—perhaps too timid in a double pivot. Jackson thrives as an 8 but needs a true 6 or a "bulldog" alongside him to succeed. The days of him playing center back are long gone and will likely remain a trivia question for MLS die-hards.

TBM: How much of an impact can Jackson make on a roster and a teams chances of winning/competing for a trophy?

In New England, Jackson should find a better fit. Without the burden of carrying the team, he can focus on his strengths and contribute to the team’s success. With the right support from Caleb Porter and the coaching staff, Jackson could experience a career renaissance and become a key difference-maker for a playoff team.