Ladies and gentlemen, we have survived 2025.
The end of the year is always a time to look back so let’s take a look at the stories that defined the year.
January
Seth Macomber chatted with Alex Ryan about his move from Seacoast United head coach to Portland Hearts of Pine assistant coach.
Alex Ryan Says Goodbye To Seacoast United To Join Portland Hearts Of Pine
It was going to take something special for Alex Ryan to leave Seacoast United, a place he’s called home since 2013.
Seth Macomber
February
We chatted with Steph Yang about leaving the world of journalism to lead Boston Legacy FC’s communications team.
Steph Yang Hopes to Bring Honor to Us All
A club hiring a communication director is not normally something that garners excitement from fans — or intrigue in general — but Steph Yang isn’t your typical hire.
Sam Lattof
Additionally, we launched our own podcast and Thomas Pinzone broke out his tactics board!
Introducing The Blazing Musket Podcast
Sam Lattof
Also Andy Judd looked at how MLS clubs spend their money.
How Do MLS's Best Clubs Spend Their Salary Cap?
And just like that the offseason is nearly over.
Andy Judd
March
Seth Macomber chatted with Inter New Hampshire club president Jeremy Zelanes and CD Faialense ahead of their Open Cup match against the Portland Hearts of Pine.
Inter New Hampshire Prepare For Season Two, Remain Focused On Joining USL League One
Inter New Hampshire FC is gearing up for its second season, with the goal of one day making the jump to USL League One.
Seth Macomber
CD Faialense Players Preparing For The Biggest Game Of Their Lives
The magic of the U.S. Open Cup will be on full display on Thursday when Clube Desportivo Faialense, an amateur team from Boston, take on Portland Hearts of Pine, a USL League One team playing its first-ever competitive game.
Seth Macomber
April
Fans at Gillette Stadium who had a banner supporting a detained Tufts student were removed from a New England Revolution match, Jackie Contreras was likely the first member of The Blazing Musket to cover a game in California.
Tomas Chancalay also made an emotional return to the pitch. We also wrote about how Dome Guasch’s cannoli selection displayed great scouting ability.
Banner Supporting Detained Tufts Student Removed From New England Revolution Match
While Saturday was a successful day for the New England Revolution on the pitch as the club secured its first win of 2025, an incident that saw a group of fans leave the match left a shadow over the festivities.The Blazing Musket is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Sam Lattof
USWNT Defeats Brazil in First Ever Pro Women's Sport Event at SoFi
The U.S. Women’s National Team secured a 2-0 win in the first of two friendlies against Brazil on Saturday.
Jackie Contreras
Tomas Chancalay Makes Emotional Return
The New England Revolution got a massive boost with the return of Tomas Chancalay. For the winger, it was more than just a cameo appearance of the bench; it was the culmination of nine months of hard work and tribulations.
Sam Lattof
Lattof: Why Domènec Guasch's Cannoli Selection Shows That Boston Legacy FC is in Good Hands
The north end in Boston is known for hosting amazing Italian restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and coffee shops. Boston Legacy FC’s general manager Domènec Guasch took a visit and gave his definitive cannoli rankings, and they indicate that the GM knows what to look for in a player (and a cannoli).
Sam Lattof
May
Rhode Island FC played its first game in a soccer specific-stadium of its own, Hartford Athletic showed its aspirations to play in USL Division One, and we chatted with new Vermont Green FC head coach Chris Taylor. Additionally, Seth Macomber chatted with Walter Varela about joining Portland Hearts of Pine and wrote about Nathan Messer’s early success in Portland.
Lattof: Centreville Bank Stadium a Soccer Fan's Dream
Saturday was a long time coming for Rhode Island FC and its fans.
Sam Lattof
Hartford Athletic Considering Application to Join USL D1 League
With additional developments for the United Soccer League’s proposed first-tier D1 beginning to take place, it appears that Hartford Athletic is at least seriously considering being one of the existing Championship teams to take the leap in 2028.
Oliver Scholes
Chris Taylor Looking to Bring Trophies to Burlington
Vermont Green FC enters 2025 with a new head coach, but the goal remains the same.
Sam Lattof
Walter Varela Takes Nothing For Granted While Making History With Portland Hearts of Pine
Portland Hearts of Pine head coach Bobby Murphy spoke with Walter Varela two days before the club hosted FC Naples.
Seth Macomber
Nathan Messer's Story "Should Be A Lesson For A Lot Of Kids"
Portland Hearts of Pine head coach Bobby Murphy believes that Nathan Messer’s story is one that young players can learn from.
Seth Macomber
June
Oliver Scholes talked with Hartford about the team’s struggles and Tom Pinzone penned that the Revs needed to evolve.
Hartford Supporters Frustrated With Poor Results, Lack of Investment
At the conclusion of Saturday’s game against Charleston Battery, some members of The Bonanza — one of the main Supporters Groups for Hartford Athletic — raised a banner in the East Stand that read: “100 Losses Well Done Bruce!”
Oliver Scholes
Pinzone: The Evolution of the Revolution Must Continue
The New England Revolution had a spurt of winning around the shift to the 3-5-2 earlier this season. The formation itself was heaped with far too much praise and credit for this up shift in results. Caleb Porter himself initially gave more credit to a simplification of roles in the team than just a simple formation sw…
Thomas Pinzone
July
Vermont Green clinched the USL League Two Northeast division while Andy Judd detailed if the 2025 Revs just needed to bring in a few more players to turn the corner. Additionally, Seth Macomber chatted with Cristiano Oliviera and Ben Clements discussed the soccer boom in Vermont. Jake Catanese also wrote about why Caleb Porter should have been fired.
In Their Own Words: Vermont Green FC Wins 2025 USL League Two Northeast Division Title
The raw emotions of winning a trophy are better than any storytelling technique. After Vermont Green FC clinched a USL League Two Northeast Division Title, hear from players, coaches, ownership, and more about what the championship means to them.The Blazing Musket is reader-supported. To receive new …
Sam Lattof
Judd: Are the Revs 2-3 Players Away?
I’ve noticed something this season, while watching the New England Revolution, that I hadn’t in previous years.
Andy Judd
17-Year-Old Cristiano Oliveira Remains Grounded As He Continues To Find Success
While Cristiano Oliveira has accomplished a great deal for a 17-year-old, he remains humble and focused.
Seth Macomber
Clements: How Soccer is Bringing Together Vermont Like Never Before
It’s a Friday night, July 11 to be exact. The second-place Western Mass Pioneers are taking on first-place Vermont Green in the final match of the regular season. The Pioneers can win the league with three points, otherwise, the Green will be crowned champions.
Ben Clements
Catanese: Three Unsolved Major Problems That Should Cost Caleb Porter His Job
Tomorrow morning, Monday June 28, the New England Revolution should have an opening for a new head coach. Preferably in the morning because that’s when proper sackings happen and you don’t play a game for like two weeks because Leagues Cup so there’s no better time.
Jake Catanese
August
Seth Macomber wrote about a car inspired by a goalkeeper and Oliver Scholes reported that Boston Legacy FC was exploring additional home venues for 2026. Jake Catanese ranked New England soccer clubs as Vermont Green FC also won a national championship. Macomber also chatted with Max Weinstein about his loan move and Revolution legends at alumni night.
Carles Gil also called for change in New England while Taylor Twellman discussed the Revs stadium efforts.
Finally, we introduced you to your new favorite sunday-league club
Portland Hearts of Pine Fan Creates Car Inspired By Hunter Morse
Portland Hearts of Pine can be found everywhere, including the race track.
Seth Macomber
Sources: Boston Legacy Exploring Additional Options for 2026 Home Games
It has emerged that Boston Legacy FC, who will make their debut in the NWSL in 2026, are exploring the possibility of playing at least some of their home games at venues around New England sources told The Blazing Musket.
Oliver Scholes
Greater New England Soccer Power Rankings
The state of Vermont is on a heater. No, not the literal heat wave, I mean like blistering form and taking Fort Ticonderoga with firing a shot levels of dominance.The Blazing Musket is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Jake Catanese
Vermont Green V. Ballard FC: Three Thoughts
Vermont Green FC defeated Ballard FC 2-1 to capture the USL League Two title on Saturday night.
Seth Macomber
How Vermont-Born Goalkeeper Max Weinstein Landed In Estonia
Max Weinstein is always looking for a challenge.
Seth Macomber
Revolution Legends Discuss Alumni Night, Growth of MLS, And State Of The Revs
The New England Revolution held their first-ever Alumni Night on Saturday to celebrate the club’s 30th anniversary.
Seth Macomber
Carles Gil Wants Change in New England
After the New England Revolution’s 2-0 loss to LAFC, Carles Gil spoke frankly to reporters in the locker room after the match. The captain called for change as New England has struggled the last two seasons.
Sam Lattof
Taylor Twellman Discusses Revolution's Stadium Efforts
The New England Revolution are in the process of potentially building their own soccer-specific stadium and while there is a long road to go, one day the Revs will call Everett home.
Sam Lattof
Scrub Nation FC: Your New Favorite Sunday League Club
Scrub Nation FC was born out of a desire for friends to continue playing the beautiful game and in 2025 they will be kicking off their first season in the APSL.
Sam Lattof
September
Filipa Patão introduced herself to soccer fans in New England while Caleb Porter was on the way out. Curt Onalfo discussed his future with the club and Jake Catanese laid out some goals for the-interim head coach Pablo Moreira.
Additionally, Seth Macomber detailed why the Portland Hearts of Pine were the hottest club in USL League One, chatted with Charlie Davies about efforts to bring a USL club to New Hampshire and reported that European clubs were interested in Allan Oyirwoth.
Additionally, Danny Griffin denied allegations that he used a racial slur in a match against Hartford.
Filipa Patão: “I’m Here to Make History"
Boston Legacy head coach Filipa Patão touched down in Boston nearly three weeks ago and has since spent time being a tourist in her new home: walking along the waterfront, roaming the halls of the Boston Public Library, and eating lobster rolls.
Jackie Contreras
New England Revolution Fire Caleb Porter
After less than two years as manager of the New England Revolution, Caleb Porter has been fired. The head coach leaves New England with a record of 21-36-12 in all competitions and 17-35-12 in MLS play.
Sam LattofNew England Revolution Sporting Director Discusses Future With Club
The New England Revolution parted ways with head coach Caleb Porter but sporting director Curt Onalfo believes that he has proven that he shouldn’t face a similar fate.
Sam Lattof
Catanese: Top Three Goals for Revs Interim Pablo Moreira
The New England Revolution have parted ways with head coach Caleb Porter, and having been practically eliminated from the playoffs for what seems like months, the preseason for 2026 officially begins now.
Jake Catanese
Charle Davies Reflects On Attempt To Bring USL to New Hampshire
In 2020, Charlie Davies joined an ownership group looking to bring a USL League One team to New Hampshire by 2022.
Seth Macomber
Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Celtic Among Teams Eyeing Allan Oyirwoth
18-year-old midfielder Allan Oyirwoth is drawing interest from top European clubs, including Chelsea in the English Premier League, Atletico Madrid of La Liga, and Celtic FC of the Scottish Premiership, according to sources who spoke to The Blazing Musket
Seth Macomber
Danny Griffin, Pittsburgh Riverhounds Deny Use of Racial Slur During Game Against Hartford Athletic
After a few days of silence, controversy around the conclusion of Saturday’s game between Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Hartford Athletic reignited on Thursday, with both clubs making social media posts about the incident, and both players — Pittsburgh’s Danny Griffin and Hartford’s Marlon Hairston — making statements on social media as well.
Oliver Scholes
October
Hartford Athletic won a trophy and Boston Legacy FC season tickets were a bit pricy. U.S. Soccer also recommended massive changes to college soccer and Oliver Scholes chatted with Danny Barrera about moving to the touchline.
Raise the Cup: Hartford Athletic Triumph In USL Jägermeister Cup Final
Hartford Athletic claimed the first trophy in club history with a 1-0 victory over Sacramento Republic in the final of the USL Jägermeister Cup on Saturday night. Samuel Careaga’s second-half strike was the difference between the two clubs, as Hartford also earned their first-ever victory over Republic.
Oliver Scholes
Boston Legacy FC Season Tickets Among Most Expensive in NWSL
Thousands of Boston Legacy FC supporters convened at Gillette Stadium on Sunday to check out the views on available season ticket seats. Seats were first-come, first-served, and fans flocked to the lower bowl after a brief presentation to get first dibs.
Jackie Contreras
U.S. Soccer Recommends College Soccer Switches to Full Academic Year Season
U.S. Soccer has made recommendations that would forever shift college soccer in a paper published by the NextGen College Soccer Committee.
Sam Lattof
Exclusive: Danny Barrera Discusses Journey From Captain to Hartford Athletic W League Head Coach
Hartford Athletic announced that former player Danny Barrera would be the first head coach of their new W League team when they take the field in 2026. Barrera, who has most recently been serving as Director of Player Experience and Development and the coach of Hartford Athletic II in the UPSL, also made a club-record …
Oliver Scholes
November
Andy Judd put the final nail in the coffin of the 2025 Revs while the club signed its new head coach and saw Richie Williams depart.
MLS also announced some massive changes while we chatted with Brenden Burke about Hartford’s playoff exit and Maxi Rodriguez about his first (and eventually his only) season in Rhode Island.
Seth Macomber also chatted with Bobby Murphy about Hearts debut season.
Your 2025 Revolution Post-Mortem: Who Could Have Predicted That?
For the last several years I have endeavored to put together an article that summarizes the Revolution’s season and aims to determine the figurative cause of death. These articles take some cues from a long-standing series by the excellent Matt Doyle of MLSsoccer.com.
Andy Judd
Report: Revolution to Name Marko Mitrovic Next Head Coach
The New England Revolution are reportedly set to enter a new era, as The Athletic’s Tom Bogert is reporting that the Revs will be naming current United States Under-20 National Team Head Coach Marco Mitrovic as the club’s next head coach. Vanni Sartini and Josh Wolff were also finalists for the role, according to Bogert.
Josh Nye
Catanese: Potential Mitrovic Hire Proves Revs Correctly Identified Their Biggest Problem
Yes, winning first-team games is always a major goal for every sports team. I am not here to disprove that notion or say the New England Revolution won’t be trying to win games next year.
Jake Catanese
Revolution II Announce Richie Williams to Depart Club & Year-End Roster Decisions
With the 2025 season in the rear-view mirror, New England Revolution II turned its attention to the 2026 season when the club announced its year-end roster decisions.
Josh Nye
Revs Reportedly Hire Marko Mitrovic: Three Thoughts
The New England Revolution are set to hire Marko Mitrovic as their next head coach, according to Tom Bogert of The Athletic.
Seth Macomber
Marko Mitrovic Speaks For First Time As Revolution Head Coach
The Marko Mitrovic Era has begun.
Seth Macomber
Report: MLS Set to Vote on Major Changes to Schedule and Playoff Format
According to The Athletic’s Tom Bogert and Paul Terino, Major League Soccer owners will vote on measures that could implement a change to the MLS schedule and playoff format.
Josh Nye
Report: RIP MLS Season Pass
As the MLS shifts its calendar, there will also be changes in how you watch games.
Sam LattofBrendan Burke on Hartford's Playoff Exit: "It Hurts"
Just under two weeks ago, Hartford Athletic’s season came to an end at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, as the Latics bowed out of the USL Championship playoffs by way of a penalty shoot-out loss to the Riverhounds.
Oliver Scholes
Catanese: MLS Schedule Change Another Short Sighted Decision
I understand that I am a stubborn old man that is set in my ways, but there was a time when Major League Soccer was evolving that you could have convinced me that the drastic changes the league has made were overall good.
Jake Catanese
Rhode Island FC, Maxi Rodriguez Can't Be Counted Out
Maxi Rodriguez has been counted out since the early days of his career. It’s part of what has made his first season with Rhode Island FC so poetic.
Sam Lattof
What Bobby Murphy Said Before, During, And After Hearts' Final Game of 2025
Up 2-1 in the 120th minute, Portland Hearts of Pine, the seventh seed, were moments away from making the USL League One Final in their inaugural season.
Seth Macomber
Bobby Murphy Discusses Offseason For Portland Hearts of Pine
The offseason is officially here, as Portland Hearts of Pine announced their year-end roster decisions on Thursday.
Seth Macomber
Pinzone: Marko Mitrovic's Patterns of Play Explored
Marko Mitrovic’s appointment as head coach of the New England Revolution was a pleasant surprise to many and a questionable one to others.
Thomas Pinzone
Judd: MLS is Gambling with Proposed Calendar Switch
After years of talk, MLS finally put their money where their Balaklava is and voted to change the league calendar from a “Winter-to-Fall” to a “Summer-to-Spring” model.
Andy Judd
December
We reported about some changes to the U.S. Open Cup and got an inside look at Marko Mitrovic. Seth Macomber also gave us a preview of how the Revs could play in 2026.
We chatted with Reid Fisher after his first pro season and Nathan Messer after re-signing with Portland.
Sources: 2026 U.S. Open Cup Will Not Feature Full USL Participation
The 2026 U.S. Open Cup will not feature full participation from professional USL clubs, multiple sources have told The Blazing Musket.
Sam Lattof
"Top Three Person I Have Ever Met": An Inside Look At Marko Mitrovic
Aleksandar Saric gave a slight smile when asked to share a story about Marko Mitrovic, who was recently named head coach for the New England Revolution.
Seth Macomber
An Early Look At How The Revs Might Play In 2026
Inter Miami CF’s MLS Cup win means we can officially switch our focus to 2026.
Seth Macomber
Former Vermont Green FC Defender Reid Fisher Reflects on Debut MLS Season
Reid Fisher joined the growing list of players to have been drafted after spending a summer in Burlington, Vermont, and the center back still feels a strong connection to Vermont Green FC.
Sam Lattof
Nathan Messer Has Unfinished Business in Portland
Nathan Messer is coming off his best season as a pro and he will be returning to the club where he regained his form after a stint with Rhode Island FC. The winger was among a bevy of returning players that Portland Hearts of Pine announced before the calendar switched to 2026.
Sam Lattof
