Football Season Review

While the New England Revolution’s 2017 campaign was not a complete disaster, the Revolution would once again fail to deliver over the course of the whole season, missing out on a playoff position once more. Finishing the year with 45 points to their name, the Revs would end the season in seventh place, missing out on the playoffs by 1 spot. Conceding 58 goals this season, New England would have the worst defensive record in the entire Eastern Conference. Despite making a number of signings in the off-season, adding to their roster the likes of Benjamin Angoua and Claude Dielna, the Revolution would fail to solve their issues at the back. New England’s situation in attack was hardly any better either. Kei Kamara’s 12 goals for the side would be the most of any New England player. Given the fact that he has previously scored over 20 goals in prior MLS campaigns, his returns for this past season are slightly disappointing. With Kamara officially traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps earlier this month, New England will additionally need to bring in some added firepower over the next few months. Lee Nguyen will once again prove to be vital for the side from Foxborough. Scoring 11 goals and recording 15 assists, his continued contributions will be necessarily if the Revs wish to make a playoff push. The 2017 season would bring an end to Jay Heaps’ 6 year reign as manager. With the Revolution board opting for a fresh face as coach, former Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel will take charge next season in what looks to be a very risky appointment. While Friedel has previous managed the United States under 19s team for around a year, he has never taken charge of a club side before. It will therefore be very interesting to see what his approach will be going into the new season.

Player of the Season: Lee Nguyen