Usseglio: Thank You Ema Boateng
Fan favorite will not be forgotten
The trade of Ema Boateng to San Diego FC was something I was not expecting to happen. We have seen — and expected to see — high turnover of the roster this offseason. It feels like half of the 2024 team is gone, though I have not done the math.
Boateng leaving is surprising. At least it feels surprising.
Painful. What makes him leaving feel so painful? I think there are a lot of reasons.
First, Boateng has been a consummate professional from the moment he signed as a free agent with the Revs in January of 2021. He fits his role perfectly: a speedy, dynamic winger who comes off the bench to provide dangerous crosses into the box. There have been stretches during his time with the Revs where it felt like every time he was subbed into the game he got an assist. None more memorable than the one scored by Tajon Buchanan in the dying minutes of extra time in the playoff game against New York City FC.
Boateng was a super sub in that respect, and I was always happy to see him come into a game. I never understood the times he was not being utilized because I knew how automatic his service was. He was a gamer, giving his all every minute he was on the field.
Losing a player like him hurts. When I think of Ema, I think about that 2021 team. I remember the feeling of winning the Supporters Shield. The euphoria of that Buchanan goal against NYCFC, and then the distraught of losing the penalty shootout.
I think about someone that always seemed to be smiling. When he was playing, when he was being featured on the team’s social media, when he was at charity events put on by the Revs. I always got the sense that Boateng was an even better person than player. His story is remarkable, from Ghana to the Right to Dream Academy to MLS.
What makes a player a fan favorite? Is it their impact on the field? Their style of play? Their decency as a person? Maybe it is hard to pinpoint exactly how or why someone becomes a fan favorite. Whatever the reason, I know most Revs fans would agree Boateng has been one of their favorite players these past couple of years. And that we are sad to see him go.
I wish him well in this next phase of his career, and I know he will play his role perfectly in San Diego. We will miss him dearly in New England.
I already coped with Boateng leaving last year when I thought he was gone during the offseason and then we resigned him. Boateng and DeJuan Jones were my favorite players on the team when I started following it, though, so it definitely makes me sad seeing him go.
The Right to Dream story and why it’s important to Boateng to make this move is the silver lining and I’m happy it feels like the club let him do what is important to him. I’ll miss him and I’m sure he will be a positive impact wherever he is!
This one hurts badly, but I’m excited for Ema. Debut seasons for expansion clubs always provide lots of opportunities for players, and I fully expect he’ll make the most of it. Best to Ema down the road, and he’ll forever be a Rev.