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New England Revolution

New England Revolution

New England Revolution

New England Revolution sign American midfielder Ian Harkes

Author Sports Hub Staff

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (July 5, 2023) – The New England Revolution signed American midfielder Ian Harkes to a Major League Soccer contract through the 2023 season, with a two-year club option for 2024 and 2025. The Revolution acquired the Right of First Refusal to sign Harkes from D.C. United in exchange for New England’s second-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and a conditional $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM).

Harkes, 28, returns to Major League Soccer after spending more than four seasons in the top flights of Scotland with Dundee United, accumulating 165 appearances for the historic club. In his second season with the club, the midfielder helped Dundee United win the Scottish Championship and earn promotion back to the first division. In the Scottish Premiership, Harkes totaled five goals and eight assists across 84 appearances in the first division. He excelled during the 2021-22 season, setting career highs in appearances (37) and goals (4), en route to earning the club’s highest honor as the Tangerines’ Player of the Year.

Jun 20, 2018; Montgomery County, MD, USA; D.C. United midfielder Ian Harkes (23) heads the ball during the second half against the Orlando City at Maureen Hendricks Field Maryland Soccer Plex. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 20, 2018; Montgomery County, MD, USA; D.C. United midfielder Ian Harkes (23) heads the ball during the second half against the Orlando City at Maureen Hendricks Field Maryland Soccer Plex. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

“Ian Harkes is a welcomed addition to our team. His experience in Scotland has allowed him to grow as a player, and he will offer us depth and quality to our midfield,” said Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena. “We look forward to integrating Ian into the team over the next couple of weeks.

As the son of former U.S. Men’s National Team and New England midfielder John Harkes, Ian is now half of the first father-son duo to play for the Revolution in club history. Harkes began his professional journey as a Homegrown Player with D.C. United in 2017. He made 25 appearances, with 22 starts, as a rookie, and concluded his two-year stint in D.C. with 37 appearances, four goals and two assists in all competitions. Harkes’ time in D.C. included two goals and an assist in four U.S. Open Cup appearances.

Born in Derby, England, Harkes developed in D.C United’s academy before a distinguished four-year collegiate career at Wake Forest University, where he played 82 games for the Demon Deacons. After earning three All-ACC Academic Team selections and multiple All-ACC honors, Harkes was awarded the Mac Hermann Trophy in 2016 as the best men’s college soccer player in the nation.

Apr 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; D.C. United midfielder Ian Harkes (23) carries the ball past New England Revolution forward Juan Agudelo (17) during the second half of their 2-2 tie at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; D.C. United midfielder Ian Harkes (23) carries the ball past New England Revolution forward Juan Agudelo (17) during the second half of their 2-2 tie at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

TRANSACTION: The New England Revolution signed American midfielder Ian Harkes (pronounced HARX) to a Major League Soccer contract through the 2023 season, with a two-year club option for 2024 and 2025, on July 5, 2023. The Revolution acquired the Right of First Refusal to sign Harkes from D.C. United in exchange for New England’s second-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and a conditional $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM).

Click here for complete New England Revolution coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

Bruce Arena Joins Zolak & Bertrand ahead of Revs’ Home Opener on Saturday

The New England Revolution started their season off strong last Saturday, taking three points home from their first match of the 2023 season in a 1-0 win at Charlotte FC in front of more than 69,000 fans – the largest crowd in MLS over the weekend. Defender Henry Kessler provided late heroics, scoring the game-winner in the 89th minute, while goalkeeper Djordje Petrović secured the shutout with a four-save performance to give New England its first season-opening win since 2013.

Looking back on the first win of the new campaign, Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena sounds pleased with his team’s 90-minute effort on the road.

“That game was not an easy game. Our guys had to grind it out,” Arena said. “That was something we struggled with at times last year, so it’s a real positive that in the opening game we could do that against a team of quality, playing in front of 69,000 people. It was quite a challenge, and our guys came out on top.”

Grinding out results in close games is nothing new for Arena, but perhaps less typical is the influential role he has given to young players who are marking a strong impression on their 71-year-old manager. In Charlotte, the Revolution deployed the third-youngest starting lineup across MLS with an average age of 24.9 years old. Arena praised 17-year-old Noel Buck, an Arlington, Mass. native, who made the start alongside Rhode Island’s Damian Rivera. Arena also praised rookie Josh Bolma, Colombian Dylan Borrero, and Homegrown teenagers Esmir Bajraktarevic and Jack Panayotou as rising players who are pushing the veterans in training each day.

“We have some young guys that are really battling and improving and pushing our older guys and they want to get on the field, so it’s interesting to see,” Arena said of the impact young players are making early in the year. “We’re usually an old team and I’m always criticized about playing older teams, but these young players are good and we’re going have to find a way to get them on the field.”

The Revolution are benefiting from these unexpected contributors, but Arena knows that for the Revs to sustain their success, Carles Gil will need to continue leading the way for the attack. One goal proved to be enough in Charlotte, but Arena still sees the defense a step ahead of the Revs’ offense after one week.

“[Carles Gil] played very well. He had a real good game. I think he needs a little bit more help around him. I think this week, we’re going to be a little bit better in the attacking end of the field. Like in most team sports where there’s scoring, I think the offense is a little bit behind the defensive side of the ball and that’s where we stand right now, but I think as we grow into the season, we’re going to be a much better team in the attack and that’s certainly going to make, hopefully, Carles’ job a little easier.”

  • Hear the Interview

  • New England’s home opener against Houston kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies calling the action. Fans can watch every Revolution match on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. During all Revolution home games this season, fans can tune into The Sports Hub’s local call with Feldman and Davies directly in MLS Season Pass.

  • Listen to Zolak & Bertrand from 10-2 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Marc “Beetle” Bertrand, Scott Zolak, and Rob “Hardy” Poole. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @ZoAndBertrand on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with the show!

Click here for complete New England Revolution coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

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