2023 MLS Regular Season Record: 15W - 10D - 11L
What I said last winter:
Đorđe Petrović is a keeper of the year favorite
They shook up the roster a bit and added lots of depth
If they don’t lose anyone during the year, they should have a great season
What happened:
Đorđe Petrović was great, but transferred to Chelsea in the summer after reportedly refusing to practice because offers were being rejected
The Revolution were without key players for lengths of time including Gustavo Bou, Henry Kessler, Dylan Borrero, and Brandon Bye
Bruce Arena was involved in a scandal and eventually resigned from the club, it was a bunch of drama
Despite all the turmoil, the Revolution finished sixth in the Supporters’ Shield standings and qualified for Concacaf Champions’ Cup
Key Takeaways from 2023
Drama-coaster
New England had quite an eventful year, to put it mildly. Off-the-pitch issues surrounding Bruce Arena, assistant coaches, and goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović dominated the headlines. Arena was handed a league suspension for reasons that remain somewhat unclear to this day. The ensuing investigation stirred up a lot of controversy and mudslinging across various sources, involving allegations, complainants, and implicated parties. Even the players were left in the dark about the ongoing situation. Ultimately, Arena resigned, and Clint Peay took over as interim manager. I’m leaving out a lot of details here, but interested readers can find a more comprehensive account in this article.
Another dramatic episode unfolded around Petrović, who received offers to play in the Premier League and Ligue 1. Initially, it appeared that the move wouldn't materialize, and Petrović was reportedly upset by the rejected offers, leading to a refusal to train. However, a deal was eventually struck to transfer him to Chelsea FC for a $17.5 million fee (plus add-ons) after only 16 months with New England.
For me, the off-field issues overshadowed what was a decent year for the Revolution up to that point. Prior to Arena's suspension, the team boasted a 12W-7D-4L record. However, after the announcement, their performance declined. In the final 11 matches, they managed 3 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses, ultimately being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Philadelphia Union.
Tactically, the Revolution lined up in a 4-3-2-1 formation most often but pivoted on occasion to two-striker formations. Carles Gil is the centerpiece of their attack — and the Sorare GOAT — while the striker position alternated between Gustavo Bou, Giacomo Vrioni, and Bobby Wood. Tomás Chancalay joined in the summer and featured on the wing most often with either Noel Buck or Nacho Gil. Lastly, the midfield was often run by Matt Polster and Mark-Anthony Kaye with the backline led by Dave Romney. I’ll note the backline was also a bit of a revolving door due to long-term injuries to Brandon Bye and Henry Kessler.
Tactically, the Revolution most frequently lined up in a 4-3-2-1 formation but occasionally shifted to two-striker formations. Carles Gil continued as the centerpiece of their attack, and the striker position alternated between Gustavo Bou, Giacomo Vrioni, and Bobby Wood. Tomás Chancalay joined in the summer and often featured on the wing, paired with either Noel Buck or Nacho Gil. In midfield, Matt Polster and Mark-Anthony Kaye started most often, and Dave Romney led the backline. I’ll note the backline was also a bit of a revolving door due to long-term injuries to Brandon Bye and Henry Kessler.
New England bounced back from a mediocre 2022 campaign into the top five for average goals scored in the league, and did this while finishing in the bottom ten for big chances created.
Not surprising given the insights above, the Revs finished in the top three for Goals minus Expected Goals. Carles Gil was their top scorer with 11 goals compared to an expected 7.6, followed by Bou (7 goals vs. 5.4 xG), Wood (7 goals vs. 4.8 xG), Chancalay (6 goals vs. 2.4 xG), and Vrioni (6 goals vs. 5.1 xG). Chancalay's stats should especially have fans excited, given he was with the club for only a short period last season.
Out of the 13 Revolution players with ten shots, only three finished below their expected goals. These players were Emmanuel Boateng (2 goals vs. 3.3 xG), Dejuan Jones (1 goal vs. 1.8 xG), and Esmir Bajraktarevic (0 goals vs. 1.8 xG).
In terms of possession, nothing significant stands out to me. They excelled in accurate long balls, winning duels, and passes into the final third. In 20 of their 36 MLS matches, they had the majority of possession.
The area where the Revolution faced the most challenges was in defense and goalkeeping, particularly in the latter part of the year. New England allowed the second-highest number of shots on target from opponents but managed to secure the second-highest save percentage. However, these stats were largely influenced by Petrović. After his departure, the Revolution cycled through goalkeepers, and none of them seemed to deliver standout performances. In nine out of the ten matches following Petrović's exit, New England finished with a save percentage below their season average.
The Revs did finish with a positive post-shot expected goals at +3.3, but it's a familiar tale: Petrović's outstanding performance contributed significantly to their stats, and his absence was keenly felt after he left.
Petrović ended the season with a +6.0, while Earl Edwards Jr. and Jacob Jackson finished with -2.6 and -0.1, respectively.
I've touched on this before, but it's worth emphasizing. The season took a nosedive after the Arena scandal. However, that chapter is now closed, and the club can shift its focus to a new era under Caleb Porter. Porter has been successful in MLS with multiple clubs and can hopefully take the Revs far in his first season back coaching, but the club will need to address some needs in the roster first.
Also, as a reminder or for those who may not know (I had forgotten until writing this), New England will be competing in the Concacaf Champions' Cup this year as a result of their sixth-place finish in the overall table standings.
Top Sorare Fantasy Performers
Goalkeeper: Đorđe Petrović | L15: 56 | 60+ pts games: 11 | Clean sheets: 8 | Penalties saved: 1
Defender: DeJuan Jones | L15: 49 | 60+ pts games: 9 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 5 | Clean sheets: 6
Midfielder: Carles Gil | L15: 69 | 60+ pts games: 21 | Goals: 11 | Assists: 8
Forward : Gustavo Bou | L15: 54 | 60+ pts games: 12 | Goals: 11 | Assists: 6
Extra: Matt Polster | L15: 50 | 60+ pts games: 6 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 2
2024 Outlook
Last Updated 2/4/2024
Porter Rating:
Outgoing Players
Maciel - Central Midfielder - Option Declined
Christian Makoun - Centre-back - Option Declined
Ben Reveno - Centre-back - Option Declined
Ben Sweat - Left-back - Option Declined
Gustavo Bou - Centre-forward - Out of Contract
Omar Gonzalez - Centre-back - Out of Contract
Justin Rennicks - Centre-forward - Out of Contract
Tomáš Vaclík - Goalkeeper - Buyout of contract
Incoming Players
Tomás Chancalay - Winger - $3.1m transfer fee with 25% sell-on clause. Will be New England’s 3rd designated player.
Nick Lima - Right-back - Acquired from Austin for $275k in General Allocation Money (GAM)
Jonathan Mensah - Centre-back - Signed as a free agent
Henrich Ravas - Goalkeeper - Transfer from Widzew Łódź
Do your thing Caleb
Caleb Porter has been very successful in his two coaching stints with MLS clubs. If New England's scouting department continues its fantastic streak of signings, there is no reason this year can't be successful as well.
The club has already addressed their backline and goalkeeping issues with the additions of Henrich Ravas at goalkeeper and the signings of Nick Lima and Jonathan Mensah. Mensah was with Porter at Columbus when they won MLS Cup.
Furthermore, New England should also get a number of players back from injury like Dylan Borrero and Henry Kessler. Borrero’s timetable for return isn’t as clear, but Kessler started the final match of last season.
The only question mark for me is if Giacomo Vrioni will be able to find consistency in MLS. Gustavo Bou is no longer with the club and was one of their lead scorers during his time at Foxborough. If Vrioni can find the same synergy Bou had with Gil, that’ll make for a lethal combo this year.
Overall, I think New England can return near the top of the East with the current squad they have, but that’ll depend on how well Porter’s tactics play out. They’ll open their season against Independiente in Panama.