The Revolution are high on new prospect Santiago Suarez

The New England Revolution went to the West Coast to find its latest Homegrown Player.

The Revolution signed center back Santiago “Tiago” Suarez, 17, to a multi-year contract and he will begin his pro career with Revolution II in the 2023 season. Suarez, who lives in Rocklin, Calif., will be added to the Revolution’s roster as a Homegrown Player prior to the 2024 MLS season.

“This has been an emotional roller coaster here because growing up I was always watching MLS and that was my goal,” said Suarez during a Wednesday press briefing on Zoom.

“I always wanted to be a player involved in a club and now I have an amazing opportunity to represent an amazing club like the New England Revolution. I’m really excited for this move and representing the New England Revolution,” he said.

Suarez began developing his skills towards a pro career in the Sacramento Republic FC youth academy and advanced to its U-17 team. He made six appearances, with four starts, logging 335 minutes for Sacramento during its 2022 USL championship run.

Suarez was called up midseason to work out with the United States U-19 National Team at a training camp in Carson, Calif., in July. Suarez was joined on the 23-man roster by three Revolution Academy prospects, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Noel Buck and Jack Panayotou, but he was already on the radar of Revs’ technical director Curt Onalfo.

“With Sacramento we have a pretty strict philosophy through the age groups and I went all the way from U-12 to the first team,” said Suarez. “There were many different styles of play at that point and we were a pretty direct team with some pretty quick athletic guys up top.”

What separates Suarez from other players his age in this sport is his height. Suarez is 6-foot-5 and he employs his aerial advantage at both ends of the pitch. Suarez has been used in the attacking zone on set pieces and defending the home goal.

“Growing up I was always a lot bigger than the other kids and it was a huge advantage for me,” said Suarez. “But now being in the professional space there are a lot of taller, older and more experienced players. I definitely use it in the box but also defensively to win aerial balls when the goalkeeper hits it long.”

 

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/QDaIgtV