Center back Henry Kessler has become the fixer on the New England Revolution’s back line.
Kessler inherited the mantle from MLS ironman Andrew Farrell, who has missed all but one minute of the season with a leg injury. Farrell has resumed practicing with the team and returned to the pitch during stoppage time in the Revolution’s 1-1 draw with NYCFC at home on April 1.
Kessler has started six games and logged maximum minutes, a streak he will likely extend when the Revolution (4-1-1) host CF Montreal on Saturday night (7:30) at Gillette Stadium.
“(Henry) is having a good year to date,” said Revolution head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena. “Certainly, in the first five games, we have been, I think, improved in the back line although we have a way to go. But it has been a good start to the season.”
Center back Dave Romney, who was acquired in a cash deal with Nashville SC in January, has taken over Farrell’s spot. Like Kessler, Romney has started every game and played max minutes while solidifying his hold on the position. Romney is tied for fifth in MLS with 30 clearances.
“It’s been pretty good,” said Kessler when asked about his working relationship with Romney. “I think, generally, if Dave is stepping up, I am behind him and vice versa.
“So, we have been covering for each other and I think we have been pretty solid overall. Obviously, we can improve, but pretty solid overall.”
Excluding the 4-0 debacle at reigning MLS champion Los Angeles FC on March 12, the Revolution have allowed two goals in five games, with three cleansheets. The Revolution are 2-0-1 at home and have allowed one goal in 270 minutes on the Foxboro pitch.
Kessler has led the defense with a team-high eight blocked shots, tied for fifth in MLS. He is 20 shy of surpassing 7,000 minutes across all competitions since joining the team in 2020 as a first draft pick from Virginia.
“I’m always driven no matter what and always hungry,” said Kessler. “But I think last year, it was hard for me to get into a rhythm with all the injuries and I think I learned from that. I feel like I am in rhythm now.”
While Kessler and Romney are the bulwarks in front of keeper Djordje Petrovic, Arena has flanked the back line with a pair of athletic wings, DeJuan Jones and Brandon Bye. Like the middlemen, Jones and Bye have made six starts and played max minutes this season. Bye has scored a goal while Jones has two assists.
“It is helpful when they can get up and down the field,” said Kessler. “Both are really fit guys and run fast and, in that position, it is necessary. So, obviously they both can do that and it is really helpful to us that they get into the attack, and they recover well, too.”
The Revolution will host Hartford Athletic in the third round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on April 25 at 7:30 at Gillette Stadium. New England and Hartford will meet for the first time in a real contest, but they have engaged in a pair of preseason friendlies.