The Revs Set To Begin New Era

Kessler: “I think there’s been uncertainty this year but I think there will be certainty going into next season. I think things will be clear and I think the club will do that well.”

Photo Courtesy of the New England Revolution

The New England Revolution are saying goodbye to 2023 as they prepare to embark on a new era.

On Wednesday, the Revs were knocked out of the playoffs when they lost 1-0 to the Philadelphia Union in the second leg of their three-game playoff series.

The organization will have a new look next year with a new full-time sporting director and head coach. Bruce Arena previously held both positions before resigning on Sept. 9.

His departure created a different atmosphere in the Revs locker room.

“I mean, he’s a big presence,” Ema Boateng said on Thursday. “You know, great at managing the team and a great coach, and his track record proves it. Without him being here, it was tough to adjust. I think we should’ve done better as players to pick each other up without him there, just kind of come together to find ways to get wins. So, we missed his leadership.”

Arena’s exit led to multiple changes.

Richie Williams became the interim head coach when Arena was put on administrative leave on Jul. 30 but was removed from the position on Sept. 12. Long-time assistants Dave van den Bergh and Shalrie Joseph also parted ways with the club on that date.

Revs II coach Clint Peay became the new interim head coach and his assistant, Marcelo Santos, was also elevated. Tab Ramos later joined the coaching staff.

The team never found their form during the final stretch, going 2W-4L-1D before the start of the postseason.

“I think during the moments that everything was normal, we were in a good position, the second position in the league, winning, I think, the second game in the new tournament, and then when everything happened, it was different,” Carles Gil said.

He added, “Obviously we tried to take off all these things in our minds but it’s not easy. I guess really, everyone is disappointed. We had a good opportunity this year to make an important thing, but it didn’t happen.”

Although things were different after Arena left, Henry Kessler has optimism about the future.

“I think there was just uncertainty [after Arena’s resignation], is how I would describe it and I think the front office will do their best to give us certainty going into next season. That is what I expect and that’s what I think they’ll do,” Kessler said.

Kessler later said, “I think there was a Bruce Era and now it’s a new era. I think there’s been uncertainty this year but I think there will be certainty going into next season. I think things will be clear and I think the club will do that well.”