FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Another solid outing in Sunday night’s 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers earned Antonio Delamea his first-ever MLS Team of the Week nod. It likely won’t be his last.

Delamea was massive at Providence Park, racking up 10 clearances, seven recoveries, one interception and one block as the New England Revolution bottled up the Timbers’ league-leading attack. The 25-year-old also played a key role in guiding center back partner Josh Smith on his professional debut.

Such performances have been the norm for Delamea in his first four games in MLS, as he’s made a remarkably seamless jump from Slovenia to the United States. He’s been tremendous defending one-on-one, has shown strength in the air, and he’s displayed a keen tactical awareness.

It’s common for many international players to require an adjustment period in MLS – particularly someone like Delamea who spent his entire life in Slovenia before his January arrival – but he hasn’t needed it, and his immediate impact has been a boon for the Revolution’s backline.

“The very first day at training (back in January), it felt like he’d been there for years,” head coach Jay Heaps said of Delamea. “I’m already past him fitting in, because he was doing it so quickly in preseason and we were so happy with how he fit into the group.”

Delamea recently earned his first cap with the Slovenia national team, and if he continues to perform at present level with the Revolution, he’ll no doubt find more opportunities at the international level.

But for now Delamea is focused on his task in New England, where he’s already become a critical figure both on the field and in the locker room.

“He’s a really important guy in there,” Heaps said. “He adapted really well with his teammates. He’s a leader and he’s only been here two or three months.”