FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution II has signed Revolution Academy midfielder Noel Buck (pronounced: NOLE) to a USL League One contract, pending league and federation approval. The 16-year-old Arlington, Mass. resident becomes the fifth player – and the youngest to date – to sign directly to the Revolution II roster from the Revolution Academy program, joining Meny Silva, Dennis Ramirez, Colby Quiñones, and Hikaru Fujiwara.
Buck joined the New England Revolution Academy in 2017 at the age of 12 and has made 66 appearances across all age levels for the program. Over that time, Buck scored over 11 goals at the youth level while playing as both a forward and midfielder. In his first season with the Revolution Academy in 2017-18, Buck played in 24 games, starting on 16 occasions, and scored seven goals at the U-14 and U-13 levels. During the 2020-21 MLS NEXT campaign, Buck has suited up six times for the U-17s, scoring one goal and registering two assists.
Following the 2020 USL League One season, Buck was invited to train with Revolution II during postseason workouts and was invited back for the 2021 preseason, where he impressed and earned a spot in the team’s starting lineup for the season opener on April 10 at Fort Lauderdale CF. Buck made his professional debut in that match, playing 90 minutes. So far in the 2021 USL League One season, Buck has appeared in all eight matches for New England, including four starts, and scored a team-leading three goals. On May 16, Buck became the first Academy player to score a professional goal with Revolution II. He scored his second pro goal on June 5 at Richmond.
“Noel Buck has impressed with his performances over four-plus years with the Revolution Academy and he has earned this opportunity to continue his development at the pro level as a full-time member of Revolution II,” said Revolution Technical Director Curt Onalfo. “Throughout the 2021 season, Noel has worked diligently to take full advantage of his minutes at the League One level, and we are excited to watch Noel continue growing as a player in the years to come.”
Buck is one of 27 players to have made their professional soccer debuts with Revolution II since the team’s inception in 2020. That total includes 16 current and former members of the Revs Academy. During the 2021 season, six current Academy players have earned professional minutes in League One action.
Revolution II (3-4-1, 7pts.) continues its USL League One campaign on Saturday, June 26 at Gillette Stadium against North Texas SC with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Revolution II’s second season features a 28-game slate running through October that will culminate in a six-team playoff in November.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution II sign Academy midfielder Noel Buck to a USL League One contract on June 22, 2021.
#61 NOEL BUCK
Pronunciation: NOLE
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.
Date of Birth: 04/05/2005 (Arlington, Mass.)
Nationality: United States
How Acquired: Signed by Revolution II to a USL League One contract on June 22, 2021.
