Three years ago, the New England Revolution were as close to the top as they’ve ever been. The club broke the MLS points record as 2021 Supporters’ Shield winners, had the winningest professional coach in U.S. soccer history on their sideline, and created a steady pipeline of proven players to replace talent being sold to European clubs for millions in transfer fees.
Much has changed since, starting with the obvious: Bruce Arena resigned as head coach and sporting director in September 2023 following a lengthy investigation into alleged unprofessional conduct, leaving a void the club has yet to successfully fill.
The Revolution had high expectations when they named Caleb Porter, one of just four coaches to win MLS Cup with more than one team, as Arena’s successor. Yet Porter was unable to pick up where Arena left off and was dismissed earlier this fall after less than two seasons when the Revolution failed to reach the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
The 2025 season came to a close last Saturday, as the Revs (9-16-9) finished 11th in the Eastern Conference. That the Revolution have so much quality on their roster — and were so recently among the best teams in MLS — makes them a club to watch going into next year.
But whether they return to their prior, more dominant form any time soon will depend on how they answer some major questions this offseason.
Who will be the next head coach?
Revolution sporting director Curt Onalfo said on Sept. 18 he expected an eight-week timeline to find the club’s next head coach. That means Porter’s replacement could be named before the new year.
Porter’s longtime assistant, Pablo Moreira, guided the Revolution as interim coach for the final games. It’s unlikely he’s a candidate for the job after his 1-2-1 record in charge and his long association with Porter, with whom he also coached at the Columbus Crew, Portland Timbers, and the University of Akron.
Little has come out about the candidate pool. Earlier this fall, former Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin reportedly withdrew from consideration. The Revolution could go in any direction, though ownership has not installed a permanent head coach without at least some prior playing or coaching experience in MLS since naming Frank Stapleton as inaugural head coach in 1996.
What marquee players will return?
Onalfo and the front office believe they have a solid roster. A natural prerequisite for the next coach could be having the tactical acumen to get the most from the current players. New England turned over the roster with 16 acquisitions and 18 departures last offseason, and probably don’t want to go through a similar process so soon.
That said, there’s always room for movement via trades and player sales. Andrew Farrell, who signed a one-year contract last year to serve as a player-coach, may retire. Loaned-in winger Ignatius Ganago, who currently commands a $1.3 million salary, may return to Nantes after battling injuries for large patches of the season.
New England may look at its Designated Players as well. Captain Carles Gil is under contract in 2026 with two additional option years, so he’ll be back unless he’s sold. Goalkeeper Matt Turner is on loan from Olympique Lyonnais but will be back next season, with the front office confident he can shed his DP tag through the use of targeted allocation money.
That leaves Tomas Chancalay, who has spent much of the year coming off the bench as a substitute despite holding a valuable DP slot. Chancalay was linked to Argentina’s Estudiates in the summer, but those rumors faded fast. His future with the club seems the least secure of the three DPs.
Another player to watch is central midfielder Jackson Yueill. He’s on a guaranteed contract worth north of $1 million annually despite appearing in just 16 games. If the Revolution wanted to move Yueill, they’d either have to arrange a sale, a trade, or buy out his contract.
The bottom line: The Revolution have flexibility, especially if they shed a high-earning player or two.
What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?
The Revolution suffered from lapses throughout the season, though an experienced tactician could get the players back on track. The glaring weakness last year was giving up untimely goals, so the Revolution may choose to bolster the back line and defensive midfield. The team could also benefit from more attacking reinforcements. After spending the fall and summer calling up talent from Revolution II on short-term agreements, the front office may see fit to add strikers or wingers to the senior team.
How will fans respond in 2026?
A primary cause for the Revolution missing the playoffs was their putrid 4-9-4 home record. For the most part, fans were treated to a litany of matches where the Revolution were undone by their own lack of concentration.
Despite this, the front office told the Boston Herald earlier in the season that attendance has been trending upward year-over-year. With Gillette Stadium set to host seven matches at the FIFA World Cup next summer, a once-in-a-generation level of attention will descend on Foxboro next year, which the Revolution will work hard to capture.
That said, fans haven’t been silent. Earlier this season, both of the club’s official supporter groups — the Midnight Riders and the Rebellion — protested at games and called for changes to the front office.
Who from the Revs will play in the FIFA World Cup?
Speaking of the World Cup, the Revolution have a lengthy list of international competitors. Barring injury, Turner seems like a lock for the U.S. national team, though he may have lost his starting spot to New York City FC’s Matt Freese. Striker Leo Campana is currently in the player pool for Ecuador, who officially qualified.
Midfielder Alhassan Yusuf is also in the player pool of Nigeria, which remains eligible to qualify. Israel remains technically in contention, but striker Dor Turgeman and defender Ilay Feingold face an uphill battle to make the World Cup.
Revolution II goalkeeper JD Gunn is one to watch as well. He’s in the player pool with Panama, which has a strong path to qualifying.
