Revolution acquire midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye in trade with Toronto FC

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (July 13, 2023) – The New England Revolution acquired midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye from Toronto FC in exchange for midfielder Latif Blessing and a 2023 international roster slot. The former MLS All-Star and Canada Men’s National Team regular joins the Revolution during his sixth MLS season, which includes time with LAFC (2018-21), Colorado (2021-22), and Toronto FC (2022-23).

Kaye, 28, has totaled 138 MLS regular season appearances, including 128 starts, with 15 goals and 23 assists. He also brings three games of MLS Cup Playoff experience, starting twice, with Los Angeles FC and Colorado.

The versatile midfielder thrived at LAFC, where he amassed 89 overall appearances with nine goals and 17 helpers. Kaye also played seven times in the Concacaf Champions Cup, including five times in the 2020 campaign with LAFC.

“Mark-Anthony Kaye is a good addition to our roster and we welcome him to the New England Revolution,” said New England Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena. “His experiences at the MLS and international levels offer our team a player of quality who will complement our midfield.

“Additionally, I would like to thank Latif Blessing for his contributions to our club. He is an outstanding person, and we wish him the very best with Toronto FC.”

Kaye, Canadian international has been capped 40 times by his national team, with 27 starts, since his senior debut in 2017. Kaye was a member of the country’s 2022 FIFA World CupTM squad, making one appearance in Qatar, and was a fixture in Canada’s memorable World Cup Qualifying campaign, playing in nine games during the final round from 2021-22.

A finalist for the 2019 Canada Soccer Male Player of the Year award, Kaye most recently featured in Concacaf Nations League play in March 2023.

A native of Toronto, Kaye made a combined 30 appearances with the Reds from 2022 through the first half of 2023. He began his career in TFC’s Academy before featuring for the club’s second team. Kaye then signed with Louisville City FC in the USL Championship, winning the USL Cup in 2017.

Blessing departs New England after half a season in which he made 15 appearances and 14 starts, recording one assist.

TRANSACTION: New England Revolution acquire midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye from Toronto FC in exchange for midfielder Latif Blessing and a 2023 international roster slot.

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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.”

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!

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