What Is 2020 New England Revolution II season

Overview

The 2020 season marked the debut campaign of New England Revolution II, the reserve team of Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution. Competing in USL League One, the third tier of American soccer, the team aimed to develop young talent for the senior MLS squad while establishing a competitive presence in the league.

Originally scheduled to begin in March, the season was delayed until July due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. With a shortened 14-game schedule, the team struggled to find consistency, ultimately finishing in 10th place out of 12 teams. Despite the challenges, the season provided valuable experience for several academy prospects.

• April 25, 2020 was the originally scheduled start date, but the season was pushed to July 25, 2020 due to health and safety protocols.
• The team played its home matches at Gillette Stadium’s practice facility, not the main stadium, limiting fan attendance and match-day atmosphere.
• Head coach CJ Cochran led the squad, focusing on integrating youth players from the Revolution Academy into competitive environments.
• Revolution II scored 12 goals in 14 games, averaging 0.86 goals per match, the second-lowest in the league.
• Defensively, the team conceded 23 goals, averaging 1.64 per game, highlighting challenges in back-line cohesion.

How It Works

The structure of USL League One and the role of reserve teams like Revolution II are designed to bridge the gap between youth academies and professional soccer. These teams allow MLS clubs to test emerging talent in a competitive setting without the pressure of top-flight matches.

• Reserve Team Model: MLS clubs operate reserve teams in lower leagues to develop players aged 16–23. This model helps transition academy players into professional environments.
• USL League One: Founded in 2019, it is a Division III league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer, sitting below MLS and the USL Championship in the American soccer pyramid.
• Player Development Focus: Revolution II prioritized minutes for Revolution Academy players, with 14 homegrown talents appearing during the 2020 season.
• Age Flexibility: While primarily for young players, teams can sign up to five overage players per match, allowing for mentorship and tactical experience.
• Game Format: Each team played 14 games in 2020, a reduction from the planned 28 due to pandemic-related scheduling constraints.
• Travel and Logistics: Teams played in regionalized groups to minimize travel; Revolution II competed in the Eastern Conference against nearby clubs.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of Revolution II’s 2020 performance against key league competitors reveals where the team stood in its inaugural season.

The table shows that while Revolution II avoided last place, their point total and goal differential placed them near the bottom. Chattanooga FC won the regular season title, while Fort Lauderdale struggled similarly. The data underscores the developmental nature of the team, where results were secondary to player growth.

Why It Matters

The 2020 season laid the foundation for future development within the New England Revolution’s player pathway. Though results were modest, the experience gained by young athletes proved invaluable for long-term club strategy.

• Damian Rivera, at 16 years and 52 days, became the youngest scorer in club history, signaling a promising future for academy products.
• The season provided real-game exposure for 14 different academy players, helping them adapt to physical and tactical demands of professional soccer.
• Several players, including Jonathan Amon, used strong performances to earn call-ups to the senior Revolution first team.
• The team’s struggles highlighted the need for improved defensive organization and in-game decision-making at the professional level.
• Operating in USL League One allowed the club to test coaching philosophies and formations in a competitive setting without MLS-level pressure.
• The season demonstrated the importance of long-term investment in youth development, even when immediate results are not reflected in the standings.

Overall, the 2020 campaign was a crucial first step in building a sustainable development pipeline for the Revolution organization, emphasizing growth over wins.