What Could The New England Revolution Look Like After Leagues Cup?
What might the Revs look like with new signings and a healthier roster?
The New England Revolution hope to have a strong end to the 2024 season, as they sit five points below the playoff line with 11 games left to play.
The task ahead isn’t easy as they’ll be on the road for seven of their remaining games.
The Revs made four additions in the last window. Luca Langoni, Tim Parker, and Will Sands are currently training while Alhassan Yusuf will travel once his visa is approved.
The team is also getting closer to full health. On Tuesday, head coach Caleb Porter said:
“These [international] guys are coming off an offseason, a lot of them, and it's going to take some time to get them fully fit. We had everybody back healthy today, except Giacomo [Vrioni]. Again, I caution people, it's going to take time for them to be able to play major minutes, but hopefully, most of the guys that were available today will be able to factor in this game in Montreal [on Saturday, August 24] in some way shape or form, probably off the bench, until they build up enough minutes to be able to start.”
With it looking like more options will be available for the stretch run, I predict the Revs will look something like this when everyone is healthy.
Goalkeeper
This is the easiest spot to discuss since Aljaz Ivacic is the clear first choice. The Slovenian has been solid since signing with the Revs and I see no reason to shake things up.
Earl Edwards Jr. will serve as the back-up.
Backline
Peyton Miller and Brandon Bye will be the outside backs if healthy. Both players like to get into the attack.
Will Sands made some recent appearances off the bench, which suggests he’s the second-choice left back, especially since Ryan Spaulding was just loaned to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Nick Lima, who can also play on the left, will back up Bye.
The center back pairing is an interesting one. I think Xavier Arreaga is the favorite to start on the right as he’s been a regular starter since signing with the club on April 23.
The left-footed Dave Romney has had some solid performances alongside Arreaga, but newly-acquired Tim Parker provides competition. Parker is right-footed but has extensive experience as a left center back.
I’m giving Romney the edge to start, but I’m a bit weary of doing so because he’s fluctuated between starter and reserve under Porter.
The interesting thing here is that all of the center backs are in the last guaranteed year of their contract.
Midfield
The Revs have two U-22 wingers, so I imagine they will start on the flanks. Dylan Borrero is most comfortable going at people on the left while Luca Langonia has been described as a right midfielder. Both players should bring creativity as they look to produce goals and assists.
The difficult part is that talented, young players will now move to the bench. Esmir Bajraktarevic has looked confident while collecting starts and Jack Panayotou had a goal and assist during Leagues Cup. If Borrero isn’t healthy, I would consider moving Bajraktarevic to the left.
Yusuf will start in the center but the spot next to him is up for grabs. I’m giving the nod to Matt Polster, who has started 21 of 23 regular season games this year. Porter has spoken highly of Polster throughout the season.
Ian Harkes will push Polster, as the 29-year-old has been very good in the last run of games. He offers good passing and tenacious defending.
As the depth chart shows, the Revs have a lot of midfield options, which makes you wonder what the future holds. Noel Buck is a candidate to be traded or sold while others might not have their contract renewed after the season.
Oh, and Carles Gil will start if healthy. That said, don’t be surprised if Harkes slots into the No. 10 role if C. Gil isn’t available.
Striker
Porter has favored the 4-2-3-1 formation throughout his career, so we’ll likely see a lone striker for the last part of the season.
Giacomo Vrioni, who had six goals in six games before getting injured, will start if healthy. The Designated Player was exhibiting good hold-up play and showed that he can finish in a variety of ways.
Bobby Wood will serve as the back-up. The experienced striker has looked revitalized after dealing with injuries at the beginning of the year as he has two goals in his last two games.
Final Thoughts
Thinking about this roster, I’m reminded of two quotes from sporting director Curt Onalfo’s press conference.
First, Onalfo said, “Whenever you put a new coach in place, there is a period of time where you need probably three [transfer] windows to really kind of make the team the coach’s [team]. This was our second window; we wanted to make sure it was impactful.”
The Revs made changes this year, bringing in Ivacic and Arreaga during the Primary Transfer Window then Langoni, Yusuf, Parker, and Sands in the Secondary Transfer Window.
Ivacic and Arreaga have been a good fit for Porter’s game model. How will the other pieces fit in?
The other quote that stands out came after Hayden Bird from Boston.com asked about the competition between Langoni, Borrero, and Tomas Chancalay when they’re all fully healthy.
Onalfo said, “You need to have a robust roster and you need to have some flexibility. Chancalay can play as a forward. Langoni can play as a forward, and actually, so can Borrero. Then also you have Esmir, who has been outstanding as well this year as a young player for us. That just gives us flexibility.
“Unfortunately, in the case of Chancalay, he is going to be out for quite a while, and then when guys are out for a period of time, it takes time for them to find their form. We feel like the more talented assets you have, the better off you’re going to be.
“We’re going to utilize the mechanisms of the league, the U22s in particular, and obviously our Homegrown system to make sure that we can be as robust as we possibly can and have as many options for Caleb and his staff to put out a team that’s exciting and a team that can win games.”
Chanclay will be out for some time after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn ACL, but it will be interesting to see what his role is once he returns.
In fact, it will be interesting to see what the next transfer window brings as several players don’t have guaranteed contracts for 2025.
Good analysis. If Borrero doesn't return to his pre-injury form, I'd like to see Esmir of Jack in his place - he shouldn't be guaranteed a starting role.