Revolution players Jones, Bajraktarevic called up to U.S. Men’s National Team
New England Revolution coach Caleb Porter will open training camp Jan. 13 in Foxboro with two key returning players on the road providing service to their country.
The Revolution announced Friday that dynamic left back DeJuan Jones and homegrown midfielder Esmir Bajraktarevic have been called up for international duty with the United States Men’s National Team for its January camp.
While Jones and Bajraktarevic attempt to make a favorable impression on USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter in Orlando, Fla., the Revolution will be setting up their four-week stay at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., just south of St. Petersburg.
Bajraktarevic, 18, in the youngest player on the USMNT 25-man roster. The graduate of the Revolution Academy and Revolution II from Wisconsin was the youngest player named to the U.S. Under 23 squad in November, where he scored a goal in two games.
The Revolution’s youth program has been a successful MLS pathway for Bajraktarevic, Jack Panayotou and Noel Buck of Arlington. Porter said the developmental program was a reason he retained the services of Clint Peay, the Revolution II field manager who was parent club’s interim head coach in the turbulent final month of the 2023 season.
“A real strength and when you look around the league, I think the Revolution have made some waves,” said Porter during his introductory press conference Thursday. “You start to see the clubs that are producing young players and the New England Revolution have guys coming through. Those are three very talented players and there are more coming through.”
Jones was the 11th overall player selected in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft out of Michigan State and has been a mainstay for the Revolution. Jones is a defender with an offensive bent who has made 125 regular season appearances, with 111 starts. He has six goals and 20 assists.
The Revolution released their preseason schedule. The team will host the New York Red Bulls on Jan. 24 and Supporters Shield winner FC Cincinnati on Feb. 1 at the IGM Academy.
The Revolution engage Orlando City SC in Orlando on Feb. 10 and the Philadelphia Union at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Fla. The Revs will open the season in Panama for Round One of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup against CA Independiente at Estadio Universitario FC on Wednesday Feb. 21. They open the MLS season at D.C United on Feb. 24.