CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – In recent signings Xavier Kouassi and Sambinha, the New England Revolution have added a ball-winning central midfielder and a powerful central defender, respectively.
They’ve also added a pair of potential leaders.
Despite their relative youth, both Kouassi (26 years old) and Sambinha (23 years old) captained their previous clubs. Kouassi has worn the armband for FC Sion, leading the Swiss club into the UEFA Europa League Round of 32, while Sambinha has recently served as captain of Sporting B.
The qualities that typically comprise a captain – respect, accountability and leadership among them – have always been admired by the Revolution’s technical staff, and those qualities were part of the equation as the duo became attractive targets for the New England brass.
“Usually when you have a captain-type player, it says a lot about the person’s character and the respect that they have and their command of the locker room,” General Manager Michael Burns said. “We feel like we’ve gotten two players who are going to help us on the field, but in the locker room, as well.”
Both Kouassi and Sambinha will require time to adapt upon arrival, but the characteristics that made them captains at their previous clubs should help ease that transition.
And the leaders already in New England’s locker room – veterans like Darrius Barnes, Charlie Davies, Jose Goncalves, Bobby Shuttleworth and Chris Tierney – will undoubtedly do their parts to help their newest teammates settle in comfortably.
“Usually captains are natural-born leaders,” Burns said. “That’s appealing.”
