2016 MLS Season Preview: New England Revolution

With the MLS season set to begin on Sunday, theScore runs down everything you need to know about each team heading into the 2016 campaign. Here, we take a look at the New England Revolution.

One last gasp.

It's all this current crop of New England Revolution players need to overcome the hump and win the 2016 MLS Cup. One last push. Jay Heaps has assembled a team that came close to winning the trophy two seasons ago, losing in the final to the LA Galaxy. Last year, the Revs made the playoffs but bowed out early.

They've ironed out the hiccups, found a system that works and are hoping it does in 2016; the Revs will, however, go through the season without a key figure as Jermaine Jones was let go during the break. Heaps and Co. signed Xavier Kouassi as a Designated Player, but the defensive midfielder suffered a serious injury and could be sidelined for the year.

Still, the bulk of this team remains the same and for Heaps, it's business as usual at the helm of this hungry, ambitious club.

2015 season

Regular season: 5th in Eastern Conference

Playoffs: Lost in Eastern Conference knockout round to D.C. United.

Nuts and Bolts

• Head coach: Jay Heaps
• Stadium: Gillette Stadium
• Season opener: Sunday, March 6: Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution (BBVA Compass Stadium) - 3 p.m. ET.

Key Arrivals

• Xavier Kouassi (free transfer)
• Gershon Koffie (traded from Vancouver Whitecaps)
• Sambinha (on loan from Sporting CP)

Key Departures

• Jermaine Jones (out of contract)
• Kevin Alston (option declined)
• Andy Dorman (out of contract)

Player to Watch

The New England Revolution would not be where they are today without Lee Nguyen calling the shots in midfield. Such is the Vietnamese-American's influence that he's earned U.S. national team call-ups for his performances in MLS and is making a case for a starting spot in the upcoming Copa America Centenario.

His main strength is his vision and his ability to execute it; he not only sees the kind of passing plays and movements that others miss, but has the range in skill to manipulate the ball and find those pockets of space or opportunities.

Nguyen scores goals, creates, and is entering the prime of his career. He is one of the most exciting talents in MLS today.

Keep an eye on: Kelyn Rowe

Projected Starting XI

Season in a Sentence

The New England Revolution have plenty of pieces to work with in 2016 and look poised to enjoy yet another season of success, doubly so if Heaps can shake the club's inconsistency and runs of poor form that came about in the last two campaigns. With plenty of battle for starting spots across the board, and a DP in Kouassi waiting to join in the summer (if healthy!), this deep squad can challenge for the MLS Cup once more.