Jackson Yueill One to Watch According to Caleb Porter

"We haven't had that guy that can kind of really dictate the rhythm and tempo in our midfield, and a guy that's going to really connect from our backline into our front guys."

Photo Courtesy of San Jose Earthquakes

The acquisition of Jackson Yueill was an intriguing one for the New England Revolution.

Matt Polster and Alhassan Yusuf seemed locked in to the starting XI after being relied upon heavily by head coach Caleb Porter in 2024. With the departures of Ian Harkes and Mark-Anthony Kaye, the importance of these two players was further emphasized.

But speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Porter highlighted Yueill’s ability on the pitch and alerted fans to keep an eye on the MLS veteran.

“Jackson Yueill I think is going to be a very good soccer player for us,” the head coach said. “We haven't had that guy that can kind of really dictate the rhythm and tempo in our midfield, and a guy that's going to really connect from our backline into our front guys. I've watched Jackson [Yueill] for a lot of years, and I feel like he's a guy that's very underrated. I think people are going to be very surprised just how much soccer [talent] this guy has. He's a soccer player, very clean, two-footed, and is going to be a real key rhythm guy for us.”

While it is hard to see Yusuf losing his starting spot, Polster could feel his seat in the starting XI growing hot. While the former Rangers man is a quality defender who can provide crunching tackles, as he grows older mistakes can become more commonplace.

Still, Polster seems to hold the edge entering 2025. Both players were on struggling teams so the above comparison is a valid look at how the two veterans stack up to one another.

Polster was on the ball much more and bests Yueill in regards to the majority of defensive stats. The former San Jose Earthquake midfielder appears to have made more of an impact in the final third in 2024 and boasts similar passing ability to Polster. If Yueill can improve as a defender, he would make for a quality partner alongside Yusuf.

The former Quakes captain seems to be entering the 2025 season with a chip on his shoulder and ready to make an impact on his new club.

“I think last year definitely left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, personally and team-wise, and I am looking forward to righting that failure that last year was,” he said. “I definitely think that the players on this team definitely will benefit me. There are some phenomenal players that were already here, and some amazing ones that have been brought in. I am really excited to get to know them on and off the field, and I think we are going to have some amazing chemistry. I think all of us are going to be able to thrive under this system and have a great year with each other.”

Even as a veteran, Yueill believes that he can learn a lot from being coached by Porter.

“[Porter] is a guy who has got a plan,” he said when asked about his new head coach. “He knows how to win; he has done it in the past. And I think he brings a great demeanor quality-speaking, and trying to get everyone involved. Of course, it is very early, but he wants everyone to be on the same page. He wants to play a progressive attacking style. He wants to have the ball, he wants to press well, and all the things that I appreciate in my qualities and being able to do on the field. I think he is a great coach. The first couple days in, I am really excited to learn more under him as this preseason goes along, and to get the season ready.”

When first acquired, it seemed as though Yueill was on the outside looking in of a starting spot. After Porter’s comments, it seems more likely that Matt Polster won’t simply be gifted his starting spot back in 2025.