New England Revolution Homegrown Player Esmir Bajraktarević and Academy midfielder Jack Panayotou (Cambridge, Mass.) represented the Revolution Academy at the first MLS NEXT All-Star Game on Wednesday afternoon at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn.
Both players were a factor in the game, as they each played 45 minutes, as MLS NEXT East defeated MLS NEXT West, 2-1. Panayotou recorded the game-winning assist in the 89th minute, while Bajraktarević started the match.
Bajraktarevic, 17, created several chances in the attack throughout the first half. The midfielder, who signed as a Homegrown Player with New England in May and is eligible for MLS selection as of August, has appeared in 26 matches for Revolution II since joining the club’s Academy in August 2021, starting 17 times and recording a goal and an assist. The Wisconsin native made his first-team debut on May 25 in a U.S. Open Cup contest at New York City FC, playing 67 minutes. He has also earned three call-ups to the U.S. Under-19 Men’s National Team this year.
