New England Revolution: Top 5 players of 2021 MLS season
By John Fallon
About a third of the way into the 2021 season, the New England Revolution have emerged as the top team in the Eastern Conference and a Top 5 team in Major League Soccer.
Before the MLS enters a brief break for summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, five players from the red-hot Revs have positioned themselves to be named this team’s top players at this point in the season.
No. 5. New England Revolution defender DeJuan Jones
New England Revolution head coach Bruce Arena put an emphasis on upgraded the team’s attacking capabilities this year, but his defensive unit has played a strong role as well, helping the team stay atop first place in the Eastern Conference.
Defender DeJuan Jones, after a terrible red card against Chicago Fire FC, has stringed together a solid stretch of games to put him in the top five on NE.
He’s only found the back of the net once, but he complicates the team’s strategy of dominating ball possession with 23 interceptions; a team high. On June 23, Jones scored his second MLS goal and was named to MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week.
He has started 12 games this season and should continue to be a key defensive piece going forward.