Joshua Bolma Makes MLS Debut

"He’s done well in training, and he earned that time on the field tonight."

Photo Courtesy of New England Revolution

Saturday night is one that Joshua Bolma won’t forget.

After making his first-team debut in the U.S. Open Cup earlier in the season, the rookie made his MLS debut against D.C. United. In 26 minutes played, the 21-year-old completed 22 of his 23 passes along with two recoveries. Bolma also won 100 percent of his tackles (2/2) and ground duels (2/2).

“Definitely it feels amazing. I’ve been working hard for this moment,” Bolma said after the win. “I'm really proud that I was able to get on the field, and just grateful. Felt great. Obviously, we were at three-zero. So, that took off a lot of the pressure as well. Overall, I thought I did my role and I played my part. You know, it was great. It’s a great feeling to be honest.”

Bolma will feel even better knowing that head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena was pleased with his performance.

“I thought [Bolma] played very well. He’s done well in training, and he earned that time on the field tonight,” Arena said. “It was good to get him on and he did a good job.”

Bolma replaced Matt Polster and played a more central role compared to where he has been dispatched with the Revs second team. The 21-year-old said he prefers to play centrally but just wants to be out on the field.

“My best position is definitely centrally in the middle of the field, and that's where I got the opportunity tonight to showcase what I got, and I felt like I did pretty good,” Bolma said. “I really don't mind, so long as I'm on the field. I can play multiple roles, and whatever task has been given to me, I'll just take it to heart and try to do it as best I can.”

The 2023 MLS SuperDraft first-round selection has received the bulk of his minutes with Revs II. He has made 10 appearances for the second team and has played over 600 minutes.

Playing with the second team has allowed Bolma to stay fit and prepare for when he finally made his MLS debut. Immediately once he came on he showed a willingness to go to ground and make tackles as well as bringing a spark off the bench.

Bolma said that getting opportunities with the second team has helped him stay sharp and improve his game.

“It’s definitely helpful. You got to be able to get on the field to be able to keep your sharpness and everything else,” the rookie stated. “And playing with the second team, obviously a different team, but you get to learn a lot. And if we can learn from the first team, you take it there, and it’s a little bit easier for you. You can pretty much adjust with play, but the most important part is that you're able to stay fit, and stay sharp. As it showed tonight, it was able to prepare me for moments like this.”

At 21 years old, Bolma still has some ways to go but it is clear that he is putting in the work whether that be in training. Along with Arena saying that his debut was deserved, Andrew Farrell credited his industrious nature and performance against a talented D.C. midfield.

“I think he’s been waiting,” the veteran stated. “He’s played some games with the second team and done well and he’s obviously put in the effort. Josh is a kid who is very industrious. He does all the hard work, the dirty work but also has some very good quality on the ball as you could see tonight. Came in very comfortable in a tough spot against a pretty tough midfield with guys who have played at Leeds, Benteke, some guys who have played in the EPL. He came in and did I think unbelievable. He had a really good game.”

Again, with young players like Bolma, it is always necessary to stress patience but it is great to see him make his league debut. With New England boasting quite a deep midfield after the acquisitions of Ian Harkes and Mark Anthony-Kaye, playing time might be tough to come for Bolma.

But he showed promise in his debut and will be someone that Revolution fans keep an eye on as he progresses throughout his rookie season.