Football Season Review

The New England Revolution’s season ended in disappointment this year, with the side from Boston finishing in seventh position in the Eastern Conference table, 14th overall. The Revolution would fail to make the playoffs based on goal difference, with the Philadelphia Union just beating them to sixth spot, despite a fantastic end of season run. Jay Heaps’ men would go on to win 5 of their last 7 games, but it all proved to be too late for them. After losing Jermaine Jones before the start of the season, the Revolution would do little to rebuild, starting with a similar bunch of players from the 2015 campaign. With new designated player Xavier Kouassi ruled out for the entire season due to injury, and with other key players such as Gershon Koffie also missing out for long periods, New England would be stretched at times, with no new faces to inject some life into the side. The midseason signing of Kei Kamara was a good piece of business conducted by the club, with the experienced striker netting a total of 7 goals during his few months. The revs really did let their season slip during the summer months however, when they managed to win just 2 of their 12 games in the league. With a rigid 4-2-3-1 formation preventing the side from expressing any sort of creativity, Jay Heaps’ switch to a 4-4-2 would drastically improve the team, with Juan Agudelo coming to life up top, managing to score 7 goals and grab 4 assists of his own. It would all prove to be too late for the side from Foxboro though, whose previous errors had already cost them big by the time the season came to a close. Despite not making the playoffs, New England’s run all the way to the US Open Cup final was a big achievement for the team, one which they will certainly hope to build upon next season. With head coach Jay Heaps tied down to a new deal, they will be hoping that continued stability goes on to benefit them.

Player of the Season: Kelyn Rowe