The Revolution are on the rise, and have added reinforcements with new signing Jack Harrison
FOXBOROUGH — A game short of the halfway point in the MLS season, the Revolution (9-5-2, 29 points) are on pace for one of the best finishes in their 31-year history. But instead of standing pat and/or “waiting to see what happens,” management has proven proactive with the signing of winger Jack Harrison.
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The 29-year-old totaled 25 goals in 181 games with Everton and Leeds United in the English Premier League. Last season, Harrison scored once in 22 games for Fiorentina in Italy’s Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Conference League.
“We strongly believe that Jack has all the tools as a player and as a human being to help us grow and move forward,” coach Marko Mitrovic said after a 4-1 victory over Atlanta United before a announced crowd of 34,428 Saturday night in Foxborough.
The Revolution moved into third place in the Eastern Conference, and have a game in hand on leaders Nashville (39 points) and Inter Miami (37). But they will play seven of their next nine away, starting with a visit to CF Montreal on Saturday. At home, the Revolution are 8-1-1 with a 21-8 goal differential, but they have only won once (1-4-1) on the road.
An outlet pass from keeper Matt Turner led to Carles Gil opening the scoring with a shot from the top of the penalty area in the 11th minute. That snapped a 232-minute scoreless streak for the club that began before the World Cup break in May.
Dor Turgeman ended a nine-game goalless streak in the 36th, Peyton Miller scored his fourth of the season in the 56th, and Brooklyn Raines converted his first professional goal 11 minutes later before Miguel Almirón cut the deficit with five minutes left in regulation.
It was the second time this season, and third in the last two years, the Revolution have totaled more than three goals in a game. As in a 6-1 home-opener win over FC Cincinnati, the Revolution showed scoring potential.
They are hoping Harrison can help the offense with consistency.
“I’m very happy and excited to play with a guy who played many years in the Premier League,” Gil said. “It’s difficult to be there. I talked a little with him yesterday, and today too. Hopefully, he can have his visa very soon and help the team, because we need guys to continue in this position — and he is a quality player, for sure. He’s going to give us some big moments.”
Harrison (No. 1 draft choice) and Turner (free agent) joined MLS in 2016. Harrison became a two-year starter for New York City FC before being transferred to Manchester City. He played five times against the Revolution, scoring once, and also earning a red card in his last Gillette Stadium appearance on Oct. 15, 2017. Turner made his starting debut in the Revolution’s 2018 season-opener, and moved to Arsenal in 2022.
“He’s a great player, great person, knows the league, respects the league,” Turner said of Harrison. “I think the front office isn’t just going to bring anybody in unless they align with our values, and also what we’re trying to build. I think that it’s a great piece and you can see his career, now he’s going to find some more consistency — and then, I think, we’ll be able to see the absolute best of him.
“I’ve been around him for a long time, so I’m exicted to get to know him better and see how he can help the team in the ways I think that he can.”
The top point average by a Revolution team was set in 2021, when they went 22-5-7 (73 points, 2.15 per game), followed by 2005 (17-7-8, 59 points, 1.84).
“In soccer, it’s always, ‘What have you done for me lately?’ and a continuous business of improvement,” Turner said. “We are in third place in the East right now. We’re not in first, we’re not top of the Supporters Shield standings, we’re not playing in the Leagues Cup this year — you know what I mean? Like, there’s still, as well as we’re doing, a lot of places where this club can go.
“And you see that we have a really talented young roster, and you sprinkle in guys with lots of experience and quality, and it’s a good thing. And the work that goes on behind the scenes. [Saturday night] shows how hard we work in the back — frees up the space for Carles to enjoy himself. And you know Jack coming in, he’ll stretch teams more and more.
“He’ll demand more and more from the players on the team, and that’s what we’ll need more and more if we want to continue to elevate and climb the table.”
Turner sparked the opening goal in transition, finding Turgeman on the left, near the halfway line. The ball ended up on the right wing, Gil cutting across the top of the penalty area to convert.
“Everyone knows I love to play fast,” Turner said. “When I see that one-v-one matchup, and Dor knows that the ball’s going to arrive where it’s supposed to — that was obviously a great moment for me, great moment for us. I was really happy that it came off.
“But, as well as we played, definitely room for improvement. I think we just relaxed a little bit and allowed them to get that goal, which is a little frustrating. But [Atlanta is] a good side, they have quality up front. But when you score four goals and get the win at home, you’ve got to be happy.”
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