FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Priority number one for the New England Revolution this past offseason was strengthening a backline that conceded 54 goals in 2016, sixth-most in Major League Soccer.
“It’s critical that we don’t give up soft goals this year,” said head coach Jay Heaps, entering his sixth season at New England’s helm. “Last year we gave up a lot of goals that we shouldn’t have.”
A late-season switch to a 4-4-2 diamond formation addressed some of the Revolution’s defensive frailty last year, as they conceded just eight goals in their last nine league games.