(Photo courtesy: Micheal Owens-Gettyimages)
The MLS Playoffs are underway, and the New England Revolution will not be competing in this postseason. The Revolution had high expectations this year as they won the 2021 Supporters’ Shield winners in the season prior. Despite an early upset in the 2021 playoffs, many saw the team as a top contender for the MLS Cup. This season was not kind to the Revs as they went from top of the table and playoff heartbreak to a 10th-place finish in the Eastern Conference. What happened? What should the team do to get better?
The Revs remained in playoff contention throughout the year despite losing star Adam Buksa over the summer. Buksa had appeared in ten MLS matches, scoring seven goals and racking up two assists (Per FotMob.com). They also lost star goalkeeper Matt Turner to English Club Arsenal over the summer. The Revs seemed to find a replacement for Turner in young keeper Djordje Petrovic. Petrovic became a fan favorite at the end of the season and looks to be one of the favorites to win goalkeeper of the year in 2023 while in between the posts for the Revs. The Revs will likely use the winter transfer window to add attacking players to complement 2021 MLS MVP Carles Gil.
The team's primary focus this offseason will likely be wingers and forwards to help revamp their attack. However, it would be no surprise if the club adds a new outside back to the roster or looks to sign a center back to a position with limited depth. This winter should be a busy one for the front office.
There are currently no rumblings that head coach Brue Arena’s job is in jeopardy. Carles Gil will look to find his MVP form again with some new players around him. Young players and new acquisitions will be the recipe for success shortly for this Revolution squad. Although the Revs are not in this year's playoffs, fans can look to the future as the team gets healthy and continues improving its roster.
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