The New England Revolution entered the 2025 season following one of the worst campaigns in the team’s history, marked by poor performance and internal upheaval. The club has made significant roster changes, with only 12 of the 31 players who started at least one game in 2024 retained for the new season. This transformation, driven by head coach Caleb Porter and sporting director Curt Onalfo, signals a fresh start as both individuals aim to impose their vision on the team. Porter, now in his second year as head coach, is tasked with leading a reconstructed team after inheriting a roster shaped by his predecessor, Bruce Arena.
Porter reflects on the team’s struggles in 2024, emphasizing that the club had reached the end of a cycle. The Revolution was inconsistent after a successful 2021 season, leading to the decision to refresh the roster. Porter’s primary goal for the new season is to build a team that better suits his “game model,” focusing on proactive, attacking soccer and pressing opponents when out of possession. However, last year’s efforts to implement these strategies were marred by poor defense and lackluster attacking play, resulting in a disappointing 2024 campaign.
The Team’s Struggles in 2024
The Revolution’s defensive woes in 2024 were severe, with the team conceding 74 goals—the second most in MLS. Coupled with an ineffective attack that scored the fewest goals in the league, New England’s 2024 season was one to forget. With 21 losses, the Revolution matched a club record for the most defeats in a season. This underperformance highlighted the need for significant changes to both the defense and the attacking lineup.
The Revolution’s offseason began with the departure of several key players. The club declined the options for international players like Xavier Arreaga and Dylan Borrero, along with veterans such as Tommy McNamara and Bobby Wood. Several other players, including club captain Carles Gil’s brother, Nacho, were also let go. Additionally, the club traded away several players, including Mark-Anthony Kaye, Dave Romney, and Ian Harkes, to San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for General Allocation Money (GAM) and an international roster slot. Other notable departures include Esmir Bajraktarevic, who was transferred to Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, and Giacomo Vrioni, the team’s leading scorer in 2024, who was traded to Montreal.
In response to these departures, New England added several new players to strengthen the team. The most high-profile addition is striker Leonardo Campana, acquired from Inter Miami for a record $2.5 million in GAM. Campana is expected to provide more consistency and build-up play in the attacking third. Along with Campana, the team added Costa Rican winger Luis Diaz, forward Ignatius Ganago (on loan from FC Nantes), and Argentine Maximiliano Urruti. Midfielder Jackson Yueill was signed as a free agent, and the defense saw improvements with the arrivals of Mamadou Fofana and Brayan Ceballos. These new signings were aimed at both improving the team’s defense and enhancing its attacking options.
The New Revolution: Key Additions
The list of new arrivals is extensive and includes a mix of experienced and promising players. These signings reflect Porter’s desire to implement a more dynamic and attacking style of play. The additions are expected to provide depth and competition for places, especially in the attacking and defensive areas. Campana, Diaz, Ganago, and Urruti will be crucial to the team’s goal-scoring efforts, while Fofana and Ceballos are expected to bolster the defense and provide more athleticism and passing ability.
| Player Name | Position | Transfer Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Yueill | CM (Midfielder) | Free Agent |
| Mamadou Fofana | CB (Center Back) | Transfer from Amiens SC |
| Leonardo Campana | ST (Striker) | Trade from Inter Miami ($2.5M) |
| Alex Bono | GK (Goalkeeper) | Free Agent |
| Donovan Parisian | GK (Goalkeeper) | MLS SuperDraft, 18th Overall |
| Luis Diaz | Winger (Forward) | Transfer from Deportivo Saprissa |
| Joe Buck | Forward | Signed with Revs II |
| Noel Buck | CM (Midfielder) | Returned from Southampton Loan |
| Keegan Hughes | Forward | Signed with Revs II |
| Ignatius Ganago | ST (Striker) | Loan from FC Nantes (Option to Buy) |
| Brayan Ceballos | CB (Center Back) | Transfer from Fortaleza EC |
| Tanner Beason | CB (Center Back) | Free Agent |
| Maximiliano Urruti | ST (Striker) | Free Agent |
| Wyatt Omsberg | CB (Center Back) | Free Agent |
| Allan Oyirwoth | CM (Midfielder) | Free Agent |
Team Formation and Strategy
Under Porter, the Revolution will likely play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a system designed to maximize attacking potential while maintaining defensive solidity. Carles Gil will continue to be a central figure in the team’s attack, providing creativity and vision. However, Porter’s preference for a faster, more up-tempo game could challenge Gil’s more measured playstyle. On the wings, players like Luca Langoni, Luis Diaz, and Ignatius Ganago will offer speed and width, enabling Gil to stretch defenses and create opportunities. The midfield will feature more dynamic and box-to-box players, such as Alhassan Yusuf and potentially Matt Polster or Jackson Yueill.
The defense remains one of the Revolution’s most significant areas of concern. The departures of Romney and Arreaga have led to the arrivals of Mamadou Fofana and Brayan Ceballos, who are expected to offer more athleticism and passing ability in central defense. The team will also rely on 17-year-old Peyton Miller at left back and Brandon Bye on the right. Slovenian goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic is likely to retain his starting role after a solid performance in 2024. The overall defensive unit has potential, but its success will depend on how quickly the new players can gel and adapt to Porter’s system.
After one of the most dramatic roster rebuilds in team history, the Revolution is poised for a fresh start in 2025. With an influx of new talent and a clear strategic vision from head coach Caleb Porter, the team will look to put last year’s struggles behind them. Whether the Revolution can return to winning ways will depend on the quick adaptation of their new players and the effectiveness of Porter’s system. As the season begins, all eyes will be on how well the team transitions into this new era and whether they can achieve the consistency and success that has eluded them in recent years.
