Weekly Roundup: Revs Sign Fofana, Inch Closer to Krupskyi Deal
BOS Nation FC announces its first general manager, University of Vermont reaches the NCAA Tournament semifinal.
With the MLS and USL seasons over, the focus now shifts to roster moves; BOS Nation is making strides toward its inaugural season; and in the NCAA, UVM reached the semifinal round for the first time in program history.
New England Revolution
Mamadou Fofana
The Revs announced their first high-profile winter window signing Tuesday, reaching an agreement with 26-year-old defender Mamadou Fofana. The move has been valued at over $1.7 million, according to L’Equipe’s Flavien Trésarrieu, who first broke the news. Fofana joins New England on a three-year TAM deal with a club option for 2028.
Fofana comes to MLS from Ligue 2 side Amiens after previously suiting up for FC Metz and Turkish sides Alanyaspor and Bandirmaspor. He is also a regular for the Mali national team, with 42 caps since his debut in 2017. Sporting Director Curt Onalfo spoke about the central defender in an article on the team’s website.
“Mamadou’s physicality, distribution, and soccer intelligence will benefit us in a position of need as we work to improve our defensive performance,” Onalfo said.
The move was announced just before the Revolution reportedly finalized a deal to send centerback Dave Romney to San Jose along with midfielders Mark-Anthony Kaye and Ian Harkes. New England only has three center-backs on their active roster: Mamadou Fofana, Andrew Farrell, and Santiago Suarez.
Illya Krupskyi
The Revolution are in active negotiations with 20-year-old Ukrainian fullback Illya Krupskyi, according to sources close to Seth Macomber. Krupskyi is currently with Ukrainian Premier Liga side Vorskla Poltava. He is a regular for the Ukrainian U-21 and U-23 teams. Should the Revs make the signing, it is reported that Krupskyi will take a U-22 Initiative slot.
The Revs are down to just three outside backs on its roster: Brandon Bye, Peyton Miller, and Will Sands. New England did not re-sign Nick Lima or Ryan Spaulding after their contracts expired at the end of the season.
Romney, Kaye, Harkes → San Jose Earthquakes
As mentioned above, The Revs reportedly answered Bruce Arena’s call, allowing Romey, Kaye, and Harkes to reunite with their former coach. In return, New England received $500,000 in GAM and an international roster spot. GiveMeSport’s Tom Bogert first reported the deal, but it has yet to be confirmed by either club.
More on Bruce
The Blazing Musket’s Sam Minton asked MLS Commissioner Don Garber about Arena’s reinstatement at the annual State of the League Address.
“It’s not something I’m going to talk about. Obviously, Bruce would not have been approved to coach in Major League Soccer if he didn’t satisfy whatever standards and whatever things that we wanted him to satisfy,” Garber said.
NCAA Men’s Soccer
Vermont 2-0 #2 Pittsburgh
The Catamounts’ Cinderella run continued Saturday, with their most impressive win yet over ACC giant Pitt. Despite only having three shots on target, two of them found the back of the net, and Vermont is heading to Carry, NC, for a match with Denver. Maximilian Kissel and Yaniv Bazini scored the goals. UVM is the only unseeded team remaining in the tournament, reaching the national semifinal.
BOS Nation FC
BOS Nation FC named Domènec Guasch its first general manager in club history Thursday. Guasch was previously with FC Barcelona as the Barça Academy’s head of America. He will begin work in January 2025.
“It’s an incredible honor to join this club and step into a city with such a rich tradition of sports excellence,” Guasch said.
Rhode Island FC
Rhode Island FC announced its initial roster decisions on Monday. The club signed Maxi Rodriguez a day later.
Roster Moves
Fourteen players will return to the club next season: Koke Vegas, Stephen Turnbull, Grant Stoneman, JJ Williams, Albert Dikwa, Jojea Kwizera, Zach Herivaux, Marc Ybarra, Karifa Yao, Noah Fuson, Clay Holstad, Frank Nodarse, Jackson Lee and Joe Brito.
The club is in conversations with Kevin Vang, Amos Shapiro-Thompson, Isaac Angking and Kofi Twumasi after declining their options.
Nathan Messer, Mark Doyle, Gabriel Alves, Conor McGlynn, Collin Smith and Nate Silveira will all depart Rhode Island.
Morris Duggan will return to Minnesota United, and Jack Panayotou heads back to New England Revolution.
Maxi Rodriguez
After winning the Eastern Conference, RIFC adds an All-League First Team player in Maxi Rodriguez. He scored ten goals and added five assists as a midfielder for Detriot City in 2024.
Hartford Athletic
Roster Moves
Hartford Athletic released its first set of roster moves Thursday.
The following players are under contract for the 2025 season: Deshane Beckford, Mamadou Dieng, Michee Ngalina, Marlon Hairston, Beverly Makangila, Jay Chapman, Joe Farrell, Jordan Scarlett, Pele Osmanu, Emmanuel Samadia, Renan Ribeiro and Brooks Thompson.
Among those not returning next season are Tyler Freeman, Anderson Asiedu, Joe Schmidt, Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Triston Hodge, Younes Boudadi and Greg Monroe.