Revolution add defender Cody Baker via loan, as GM Chris Tierney stresses continued activity during transfer window

Cody Baker, a 22-year-old defender, is joining the Revolution on loan through the end of the year from the Seattle Sounders, with the possibility he will immediately get a chance on the right side as Ilay Feingold remains unavailable.

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The move is the latest during the summer transfer window by recently promoted general manager Chris Tierney, who already has extended goalkeeper Matt Turner and defender Peyton Miller.

Tierney called Baker “a player that we’ve had our eyes on for quite a while” on Wednesday, noting Baker played under Revolution assistant Michael Morris while both were in the Sounders’ developmental system.

“We felt like he’s a profile player and at an age bracket where he can continue to improve,” said Tierney.

The GM also confirmed Feingold, the Revolution’s lead right back, will be “out for a period of time” following a minor ankle surgery. Feingold missed the final five games before the World Cup break.

“Cody gives us some really valuable coverage at the right back position,” Tierney said.

Marko Mitrovic pinned a potential Feingold return as “hopefully in the next two to four weeks.” The coach offered a similar “three to four week” timetable on striker Leo Campana, who limped off after 20 minutes in his second appearance of the season on March 21 and hasn’t played since.

“Leo had a setback at the very end of the first part of the season. Now his recovery process is going well,” Mitrovic said. “There are, so far, no setbacks.”

Baker has made 37 appearances in all competitions for the Sounders since debuting in 2023, but just six (two starts) in the regular season over the last two seasons. New England is sending its first-round pick in next year’s draft to Seattle for Baker, pending performance qualifiers which could affect the allocation money or pick moving between the teams.

Tierney and Mitrovic hit on multiple topics one week before New England’s return to play July 22 against Toronto. Among them:

⋅ Offense is a clear area of focus, with the Revolution (8-5-1, 25 points) fourth in the Eastern Conference despite being midpack in goals scored and in the bottom third of the league for expected goals based on their attack.

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“I think Marko and his staff have done a really good job of solidifying the defense. … we feel pretty good about our defensive group,” Tierney said. “I think our additions will be pieces that can help us in the attack.”

Turner, among MLS’s best keepers this season, is a key part of that. Mitrovic said Turner will be back with the team “in a few days,” having not gotten the three weeks off most of the Revolution did given he was part of the United States’ World Cup team.

“It’s not just a physical drain and exposure that you’re there, it’s also emotional,” he said. “We want Matt, when he comes back, to be hungry and ready.”

⋅ Tierney confirmed Miller, whom the team extended through 2028-29 (with a club option), has received “interest from around the globe” and that the contract “gives us protection” regarding a future move abroad.

“Our focus remains on just getting the best out of Peyton every day here,” Tierney said. “Those conversations will remain in-house, but the timing has to be right for the club and the player.”

⋅ Despite reports, there has not been “any conversations about Luca [Langoni] with clubs outside of MLS.” Langoni, tied for second on the team with three goals, is not fully fit, but the team expects the 24-year-old “to be able to contribute to some degree once the season restarts.”

Langoni missed the final pre-World Cup match in Charlotte following the death of his father in Argentina.

⋅ Asked if the team was looking to bring in “a big-name star player,” Tierney stressed the focus was on “the right player.”

“The celebrity level or the marketing value of the player is secondary to us,” he said. “We’re looking for the right fit in our team and the way we want to play, and a player that fits our culture that Marko has done a good job developing here.”

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