FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution has announced the roster for its inaugural under-23 team. The New England Revolution U23s will provide an important link between the Revolution Academy and the first team. Fielded from primarily returning Revolution Academy players and a number of talented college players, the U23 team will compete in a series of friendlies through the summer months.

“This team will provide players who aim to reach the highest levels of soccer the opportunity for meaningful competition during the summer months,” said Director of Youth Development Bryan Scales. “It’s a great opportunity to further develop Academy alumni and other top players and should serve as a platform for integration into the club’s first team.”

The U23 team, which is under the direction of the Academy technical staff, grants both college students and other Academy members an avenue to continue their development in close collaboration with the Revolution first team. In addition to enjoying opportunities to train and scrimmage with the first team, U23 members will have all of their needs and expenses related to soccer activities – training, development, facilities, housing, equipment, uniforms, and travel -- provided by the Revolution at no cost to the players or their families.

The Revolution’s U23 squad features Academy alumni as well as college and youth athletes hailing from New England and beyond. While the team primarily consists of college players in the region, including three from Dean College (midfielder Leandro Alves, midfielder Daniel Rovira, and defender Otto Sahlen), others athletes on the team study at institutions as far as Georgetown University (midfielder Declan Mccabe) in Washington, D.C., and Northwestern University (Willis Griffith) in Evanston, Ill.

Here is the initial roster for the New England Revolution U23 team: