FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution signed defender/midfielder Matt Polster to a Major League Soccer contract following his transfer from Rangers FC of the Scottish Premiership, pending receipt of his international transfer certificate. To acquire Polster’s MLS rights, the Revolution traded $100,000 in 2021 allocation money to Chicago Fire FC, where Polster played four MLS seasons from 2015-18.
“We are pleased to have Matt join the Revolution,” Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “Matt is a talented player, very athletic, and technically sound. His experience in MLS and his ability to play in multiple positions makes him a great addition to our roster.”
Polster, 27, returns to MLS after a stint with Rangers FC, where he made 10 total appearances across the Scottish Premiership, Europa League, and Scottish League Cup action. He signed with Rangers in January 2019 following a successful trial and made six appearances in Scotland’s top flight, including three starts at right back in 2020. Before joining Rangers, the United States international made 82 MLS appearances across four seasons with Chicago Fire FC.
Drafted seventh overall by Chicago in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, Polster went on to appear in 30 games, starting 27, as a rookie and played primarily in a defensive midfield role. He added 27 games played in 2016, tallying his first two career goals. During the 2017 campaign, Polster’s transition to right back from center midfielder played an integral role in the team’s ability to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs, and despite the more defensive role, resulted in a career-high seven assists. Polster was forced to sit out the majority of his final season in Chicago with a knee injury, which limited him to three appearances in 2018.
On the international stage, Polster featured for the United States’ Under-23 side beginning in 2015. He was a key part of the U.S. Under-23 team at the Concacaf Olympic qualifying tournament, starting all five of the American’s matches in the competition. He earned his first call up to the senior team in January 2016. The Wisconsinite made his senior debut two years later in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, playing 90 minutes at right back in the scoreless draw.
Polster played his collegiate soccer at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Over a four-year career, he recorded six goals and 12 assists across 79 starts. As a senior in 2014, he earned an NSCAA All-West Region First-Team selection.
The New England Revolution will resume the club’s 25th MLS season tomorrow, July 9, in the MLS is Back Tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. New England will open Group C action against the Montreal Impact on Thursday (8:00 p.m. ET -- TUDN / Twitter / 98.5 The Sports Hub), followed by meetings with Eastern Conference sides D.C. United on Thursday, July 16 (8:00 p.m. ET - FS1/TUDN/98.5 The Sports Hub), and Toronto FC on Tuesday, July 21 (9:00 a.m. ET -- ESPN / ESPN Deportes / 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2). Click here to access MLS is Back Tournament media resources.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution acquire Matt Polster’s MLS rights from Chicago Fire FC in exchange for $100,000 in 2021 allocation money, and sign Matt Polster following his transfer from Rangers FC (Scotland), pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, on July 8, 2020.
#8 MATT POLSTER
Pronunciation: POLE-stir
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Date of Birth: 06/08/1993 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Nationality: United States
College: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Previous Club: Rangers FC (SCO)
How Acquired: Transfer from Rangers FC on July 8, 2020 following trade for MLS rights with Chicago Fire FC.
Twitter: @MattPolster
