As much as New England Revolution Academy players pursue a Homegrown Player contract, reality is the vast majority don’t sign straight out of the youth teams. Without a robust USL Championship or USL League One team, that pathway is even further reinforced, as college soccer becomes the development crucible for some of the brightest prospects at the region’s sole MLS club.
But what about beyond the college season? Surely these players are enjoying competitive minutes and a professional atmosphere during the summer months.
Step in the Revs U-23 team, a summer-only side that plays a series of friendlies against USL League Two, MLS reserve and semi-pro teams throughout the Northeast. The players included often also train with the first team and scrimmage against the pros, who are now managed by American coaching great Bruce Arena, as the club announced Tuesday morning.