FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – While the start of the 2025 season hasn’t yet been stacked with wins for the Revolution, their defensive efforts have consistently stood strong. Supported in part by center back Mamadou Fofana, New England has conceded just seven goals through six matches – a vast improvement over the 11 allowed at this point last season.
Fofana’s strong presence on the backline – alongside fellow center back Brayan Ceballos – has played a critical role in the Revolution’s defensive showings. As the team continues to hone their identity on the pitch, Fofana’s growing comfort within the squad has become central to thwarting opposition attacks.
“I think what we are doing now is better, but I know we have to improve more,” he said. “It’s not just me; we are a team. We press together, we defend together, and now we have to work together for this thing to happen – to get the victory.”
With six games of MLS experience under his belt, Fofana explains that he arrived in New England knowing that this new step in his career would be a challenge. It was one he was eager to take as he’d heard about the level of competition that can be found in the States.
“Now that I’m here, I can see this league is not easy. There are a lot of good players, and they are physical, so it’s not easy,” he said. “But it’s a new league for me, so I try to improve and to know my teammates. We are working for the victory.”
Fofana has been particularly impressed by the strength of the strikers in the league, explaining that the defense has to be on constant watch with the level of speed and aggression coming from the opposition.
Arriving in New England after playing in France since 2018, the physicality of the league isn’t the only thing requiring an adjustment for Fofana. Not only did the Mali native move to a new country, he moved to New England … in February.
“It’s not the same weather as in France, but now I start to know it isn’t easy,” he said with rain dripping from his face following a wet day on the training ground. “But this is life, I just have to adapt, but it’s all okay. I want to go out to learn some new things [about the area].”
As the Revolution face a challenging stretch of away games, Fofana remains focused on the team’s collective goal of continuous improvement. His leadership and adaptability, both on and off the field, are helping to shape the defense into a resilient unit. Despite the early results, defensive stability continues to offer a solid foundation to build upon.
On the road to Atlanta this weekend, Fofana is hungry for the next win. “We want to take our three points like every game. I know it won’t be easy because Atlanta is a good team,” he said. “But we know we can take three points. We have to improve, work hard, and keep pushing.”
