After finishing near bottom of all MLS in 2024 the New England Revolution are bringing in many new faces ahead of the 2025 season. A new center back pairing of Mamadou Fofana and Brayan Ceballos hope to anchor a back 4 who were one of the MLS worst in goals conceded in 2024.
Fofana has been a mainstay in the Amiens side for the last few years. Amiens play in Ligue 2, the 2nd division in France. With the eye Fofana looks like a CB who is good in the air who can break lines with passes going forward.
Ceballos is more a mystery. The Colombian CB most recently played for Dinamo Kiev and Junior who is a member of the Colombian first division.
The "big" acquisition for the Revs so far this off-season is Leo Campana. The Revs paid a pretty penny for the services of the new "Ecuadorian Delorian." Up front Miami receives $2.5 in GAM and 2 international roster spots, with another $750k if certain performance based incentives are met.
The Ecuadorian has been a nice player for Inter Miami the last 3 years. With 28 goals in 80 MLS matches. New England hopes Leo can lead the line, which has floundered under Giacomo Vrioni. Whether it's player quality or tactics Vrioni's time in New England has been underwhelming.
The often maligned Albanian forward looks to be headed back to Europe this winter. Vrioni has suitors in Belguim, Portugal, and Italy to name a few.
Speaking of departures......New England Homegrown player Esmir Bajraktarevic is headed to PSV Eindhoven. A fee of up to $6 million is the reported figure for the Bosnia and Herzegovina international. The 19 year old took a big step this past season on the field for New England and playing for his native country internationally.
Another interesting piece that the Revs have acquired is Jackson Yueill. The 27 year old US international for me will be a full time starter replacing Matt Polster at the 6 spot.
Other acquisitions for New England are journeyman keeper Alex Bono, Tanner Beason, and a return to MLS for Luis Diaz.
Curt Onalfo and Caleb Porter know that they are under the microscope going into the 2025 season. With more players set to be acquired, a new look Revs for 2025 is imminent.
As things stand right now for me, with the departure of Esmir, New England still will be a bottom half of the table Eastern Conference team. With that being said, a place in MLS Playoffs could still be attained. What New York Red Bulls and LA Galaxy have shown us is that a quick turnaround can happen with the right player acquisitions and manager situation. I am skeptical on both for Revs.....We will see.
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