FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – With temperatures expected to soar into the upper-90s in Foxborough this week, newcomer Michael Mancienne admits he’s still adjusting to certain aspects of life in New England.
“Not at all, not at all,” London-born Mancienne said with a laugh when asked whether he’s adapted to the extreme heat. “I’m better than it was in the first week, but it’s meant to be a really hot one today, so that’s why we’re training a little bit earlier (in the morning). I’m still adjusting to the heat.”
In many other regards, however, Mancienne has already settled comfortably into his new surroundings. He’s recently moved into an apartment outside Boston, and he’s made a pair of starts for the New England Revolution within two weeks of arriving stateside.
Those two appearances – both in central defense, one alongside Antonio Delamea and one alongside Jalil Anibaba – have proven to be massive learning experiences for Mancienne, who picks up more and more of his teammates’ tendencies in each game and each training session.
“Most defensive partnerships, they’ve played together for years and they know each other’s game inside out,” said Mancienne. “That’ll come with time, anyway. I know that’ll come with time.”
“He didn’t have much time to settle in, that’s for sure, because we wanted to put him in the team right away, which we did,” added head coach Brad Friedel. “As each day goes on, it’s going to be good for him. He’s going to be a player that’s going to get used to the league, travel, and weather – all of the above.
“He’s a very good player, a very good pro, and he’ll take very little time getting used to it here.”
Mancienne has just two weeks in the Revolution locker room and 180 minutes of MLS action under his belt, but he’s already feeling comfortable both on and off the field in New England.
“The changing room is a good group of boys,” Mancienne said. “Everyone’s made me feel really welcomed, so it’s been really easy to settle in.
“With the league, one thing I have noticed, obviously training in this kind of weather – everyone is super fit. That’s going to be a big positive for me, as well, because that’s going to help me get fitter quicker anyway, especially when it gets a little bit cooler over here. I’ll be good to go.”
In many respects Mancienne is already good to go, as the 30-year-old veteran had a team-high seven clearances and three interceptions last weekend against the Philadelphia Union.
Those types of contributions – along with his leadership responsibilities – will be critical to the Revolution as they aim to snap an eight-game winless run and make a late-season push for the playoffs.
“I hope I bring a freshness,” Mancienne said. “Obviously it’s a difficult period at the minute, but it happens to every team in football. You go through a difficult period, it’s just breaking that period and getting out of it. Once you pick up the first win, you can go on a run, so hopefully that can happen for us.”
