When measuring a Major League Soccer academy's success in terms of Homegrown Players, the New England Revolution have certainly passed the test.
Placing an emphasis on first-team impact instead of quantity, the Revs have hit a few home runs in the past 13 months. Isaac Angking, a U.S. U-20 midfielder from Providence, R.I., is about to enter his second professional season with sky-high potential. Recent signing Justin Rennicks (South Hamilton, Mass.), who's likely heading to the U-20 World Cup in Poland this spring, is similarly promising. Last but not least, Nicolas Firmino (Somerville, Mass.), a 17-year-old midfielder, has that special something to impact the first team in years to come.
Yet, it feels like something is missing from the Revs Academy pathway.
