Three Revolution II Players Who Could Jump to First Team This Offseaon
A lot of flexibility for the first team could see some Revs II players ascend the Pro Player Pathway
In its five-year history, Revolution II has seen nine players (Jon Bell, Maciel, Ryan Spaulding, Colin Verfurth, Noel Buck, Esmir Bajraktarević, Ben Reveno, Jack Panayotou, and Malcolm Fry) ascend to the first team.Â
While the collective effort from Revolution II in 2024 was disappointing, some individuals had stellar seasons to possibly become the 10th Revolution II graduate.
With flexibility a premium for the first team this coming offseason, here are three names I could see making the jump to Major League Soccer.
1 - Damario McIntosh
The 16-year-old defender has had a meteoric rise since joining the Revolution Academy in 2023. After ending the fall season with two goals and an assist, the Newark, California native joined Revolution II on March 13 when he signed an Amateur Agreement with the club.
After appearing in 16 matches where he clocked 1,234 minutes, McIntosh joined Revolution II permanently as he inked his first professional contract on June 11th. McIntosh ended his inaugural campaign with 1,744 minutes over 25 appearances.
McIntosh ended the 2024 season ranking above average compared to fellow MLS NEXT Pro right backs. He excels in successful passes (84%), chances created (77.4%), successful crosses (77.4%), Successful dribbles (76.4%), and touches (84.9%).
The one thing I particularly love about McIntosh’s game is his ability to put in work on both sides of the ball, which is crucial for success at the outside back position.
We saw above how he ranks in passing and possession. His defense is just as good as he finds himself ranked high in tackles won (92.5%), duels won (79.2%), aerial duels won (86.6%), interceptions (81.1%), recoveries (87.7%), and possession won in the final third (79.2%).
It’s clear to see McIntosh excelled on both sides of the ball in 2024. With Brandon Bye and Nick Lima having pending options this offseason, maybe the Revolution consider going with a younger option like McIntosh as a depth piece.
2 - Alex Monis
The former Chicago Fire Homegrown had a standout debut season in New England as he ended 2024 with eight goals and four assists over 1,683 minutes.
Monis was one of the most effective forwards in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024. He ranked amongst the top in goals (89.9%), shots (92.7%), shots on targets (96.3), assists (76.1%), successful passes (84.4%), chances created (88.1%), and successful crosses (85.3%).
On top of his incredible attacking ability, the Philippine international can also do a lot with the ball and defend well. He ranks highly in touches (85.3%), touches in the opposition’s box (82.6%), fouls won (85.3%), penalties awarded (89.9%), duels won (71.6%), interceptions (91.7%), blocks (97.2%), recoveries (84.4%), and possession won in final third (87.2%).
With Dylan Borrero’s future in the air, Tomas Chancalay still recovering from his knee injury, Ema Boateng and Nacho Gil having contract options coming up, plus the ever-looming possibility of Esmir Bajraktarević move to Europe, Monis could be a great depth addition to ensure production from the wing.
3 - Eric Klein
After making one appearance with Revs II and a strong academy season in 2023, Klein joined Revolution II via an Amateur Agreement on March 13th.
Klein’s first full season with Revs II was one to remember. The Manheim, Pennsylvania native clocked a team-leading 2,125 while tacking a goal and two assists in 26 appearances.
Like McIntosh and Monis, Klein found himself highly ranked in stats like assists (98.3%), successful passes (85.1%), accurate long balls (92.6%), chances created (100%), cross accuracy (73.6%), successful dribbles (92.6%), touches (89.3%), touches in the opposition box (97.5%), and fouls won (80.2%).
On top of his success with the ball, Klein can also do a lot without the ball as he ranked high in defensive statistics like tackles won (95.9%), duels won (91.7%), aerial duels won (80.2%), interceptions (82.6%), blocks (96.7%), recoveries (93.4%), and possession won in the final third (96.7%).
The only concern I have over Klein is it feels like the organization hasn’t decided on what position he fits best at. Klein played a good number of minutes playing at the central midfield, defensive midfield, center back, and right back position throughout 2024.
While versatility is a huge advantage, I think it’d be best for Klein and the organization to spend at least another half-season with Revs II to decide where on the field he’d fit best. In the same breath, considering the number of needs the first team needs this offseason, a promotion would not shock me.
Lets see if Caleb Porter even considers these guys.