FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have re-signed captain Carles Gil (pronounced CAR-LESS HEEL) to a Designated Player contract through the 2024 Major League Soccer season.
“Since I arrived in Boston more than two years ago, this city has become my home and the fans and my teammates have become my family,” said Gil. “Playing for the New England Revolution has been one of the highlights of my career and it is my ultimate goal to bring an MLS Cup championship home to our supporters.”
Gil has been a dominant force for the Revolution since making the move to MLS in January 2019 from Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruña. In his debut campaign, he started all 34 games and claimed the club’s Golden Boot with a team-leading 10 goals and 14 assists, earning him 2019 MLS Newcomer of the Year honors, an MLS Best XI selection, and Revolution MVP recognition. He became one of only two Revolution players ever to record a double-digit season in both goals and assists as he led the club back to the postseason.
“We are pleased Carles will continue to be a member of the Revolution in the years to come. He’s an elite player who has proven himself to be one of the best in Major League Soccer,” said Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena. “His consistency and productivity on field as well as his professionalism and leadership in the locker room are an important part of our team and he will be a key piece in helping the team compete for championships in the years to come.”
For his MLS career, Gil has recorded 47 appearances, 45 starts, 11 goals, and 20 assists in league play, with an additional five starts, two goals, and three assists in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The 28-year old has started all seven games and played every minute thus far in 2021 and is once again among the league leaders in several offensive categories. He is currently tied for the league lead in assists (4) and is pacing MLS in chances created (pass leading to shot), big chances created (pass leading to shot on goal), completed dribbles, and successful crosses and corners.
| 2021 MLS LEADERS | ||
| Category | Gil’s 2021 MLS Rank | Total |
Assists | T-1st | 4 |
Chances Created | 1st | 38 |
Big Chances Created | 1st | 8 |
Chances Created from Open Play | 1st | 21 |
Chances Created from Set Play | 1st | 17 |
Dribbles Completed | 1st | 25 |
Dribble Success Rate (min. 15 att.) | 2nd | 71.4% |
Successful Crosses + Corners | 1st | 33 |
Successful Passes ending in Final 1/3 | 2nd | 144 |
Successful Passes in Opposing Half | 2nd | 213 |
Touches | 2nd | 585 |
Possession Won in Final 1/3 | T-3rd | 11 |
Fouls Won | 4th | 22 |
| Source: Opta | ||
Despite making only six appearances during the 2020 regular season due to an injury, Gil returned to action in top form for the postseason. He started all four playoff games and tallied two goals with three assists as he led the Revolution to the Eastern Conference Final. His combined five goals and assists in the postseason were third most league wide as he captained the Revs to a second consecutive playoff berth and the club’s deepest playoff run since 2014.
Gil’s production has resulted in tangible success for the Revolution. His arrival in 2019 coincided with the end of a three-year playoff drought for the club, which has lost only once across regular season and postseason play when he gets onto the scoresheet.
| REVOLUTION’S RECORD WHEN | ||
| When… | Revolution’s Record | |
Carles Gil Scores a Goal | 7-1-4 | |
Carles Gil Records an Assist | 15-0-5 | |
Carles Gil Registers a Goal & Assist | 5-0-1 | |
| MLS Regular Season + MLS Cup Playoffs | ||
Before signing with New England in January 2019, the Valencia, Spain native made nearly 200 appearances over an eight-year professional career in England and Spain. After debuting with his hometown club Valencia CF in 2012, he went on loan to fellow Spanish side Elche CF and helped the team earn promotion to La Liga for the first time in 25 years. Gil transferred to English Premier League club Aston Villa in January 2015, where he totaled 34 appearances across all competitions and helped Villa reach the 2015 FA Cup Final. He returned to Spain to join Deportivo La Coruña before the 2016-17 season, where he saw action in La Liga, the Segunda División, and Copa del Rey.
With Gil sporting the captain’s armband, the Revolution will return to action on Saturday, May 29 on the road against FC Cincinnati. The match will kick off at 3:00 p.m. ET on TV38, myRITV, and CoziTV (WSHM-3). The match is also available locally on the radio at 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBIX 1260 Nossa Radio, as well as on ESPN+ for out-of-market subscribers.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution re-sign midfielder Carles Gil to a Designated Player contract through the 2024 Major League Soccer season on May 24, 2021.
#22 CARLES GIL
Pronunciation: CAR-LESS HEEL
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-7
Weight: 145 lbs.
Date of Birth: Nov. 22, 1992 (Valencia, Spain)
Hometown: Valencia, Spain
Nationality: Spain
Previous Pro Experience: Deportivo de La Coruña (ESP), Aston Villa (ENG), Valencia CF (ESP), Elche CF (ESPN)
