Revolution sign Noel Buck to a Homegrown Player contract

The Revolution added MLS’ version of a “bonus baby” to its training camp roster.

The Revs signed 16-year-old Noel Buck to a Homegrown Player contract through the 2025 MLS season with a one-year club option. Buck is a midfielder from Arlington.

Buck was the Revolution Academy’s Player of the Year last season and has been involved in the franchise’s development system since the age of 12. Buck became the eighth Revolution Academy product to ascend to the first-team roster since its inception in 2009 and the second under sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena.

“When I was offered the opportunity to sign with the Revolution, it wasn’t too hard of a decision,” said Buck following training camp practice in Foxboro. “It has always been my dream to play professional soccer, and especially with my hometown club that I have been with all my life. It was a no-brainer.”

Buck became the Revs’ second-youngest Homegrown Player to sign with the parent club. That distinction belongs to the original bonus baby, Diego Fagundez of Leominster, who was 15 when he signed an MLS contract on Nov. 15, 2010, and made his debut at 16 in a 3-2 win over D.C. United on April 26, 2011, in the U.S. Open Cup.

Fagundez set the standard for Homegrown Players in the Revolution’s system. The attacking midfielder appeared in 261 games from 2011-2020 and scored 53 goals. He joined Austin FC as a free agent in 2021 and made 33 appearances with seven goals.

“I remember Diego because I was about maybe 10 when he came to one of my games when I was playing with my club team NEFC,” said Buck. “I actually got his autograph on my boot, one of my cleats and I still have that cleat today.

“He has played a major role and showed how you can play at a very young age. There are lot of people around the world I take inspiration from, a lot of young players, and Diego Fagundez is one of them.”

Buck managed to fast track his career since joining the academy in 2017. He made 70 appearances over multiple age levels that included 12 goals at the youth level as a forward/midfielder. During the pandemic abbreviated 2020-21 campaign, Buck dressed six times for the Under-17 side and registered a goal with two assists.

Buck signed his first professional contract with Revolution II last June and was one of two players to appear in all 28 league games. He made his Revolution II debut on April 10 and finished second on the team in scoring with five goals and one assist.

“Throughout my time with the Revs, especially these last few years, I have been with a lot of older guys,” said Buck. “Those older guys helped me tremendously last year and the beginning of this year.”

What was the lesson learned?

“Honesty, it is learning about being comfortable in uncomfortable situations,” said Buck. “Coming in last year for my first professional experience it was very uncomfortable for me but over the season it gets more comfortable.

“Putting yourself into those uncomfortable situations will benefit you and coming up to the first team will be a similar experience.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3tEFfQ0