Goalkeeper Henrich Ravas was acquired to fill the New England Revolution’s greatest need in the starting lineup that was once considered the team’s position of strength.

Ravas has the experience, size, and athleticism to be a top shelf-MLS goalkeeper, but in choosing to settle in New England he has two very tough acts to follow.

“I wanted to come here for this challenge and step up my career,” said Ravas. “I want to get the best out of me and build up my career in this league and here in America.”

Since 2020, the Revolution’s back end was manned by two of the most dominant goalkeepers in the MLS, Matt Turner and Djordje Petrovic, both of whom crossed the Atlantic to play in the English Premier League.

Turner was the 2021 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and a starter on the U.S. Men’s National Team when he left to compete for Arsenal in the EPL. That was a huge step up in class for an MLS walk-on from New Jersey who played collegiately at Fairfield.

Former Revolution head coach and sporting director Bruce signed Petrovic to replace Turner June 12, 2022, and the Serbian national performed above and beyond expectations. Despite beginning his MLS tenure well into the 2022 season, Petrovic finished second in the Goalkeeper of the Year voting.

Petrovic was already an MLS All-Star and the favorite to win the 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year award when he transferred out of MLS to compete for Chelsea in the EPL. While losing Turner and Petrovic was tough, the Revolution realized a substantial windfall in transfer fees.

Ravas was acquired on Jan. 6 from the Polish club Widzew Lodz for an undisclosed fee and was tendered an MLS contract through the 2026 season with a team option for 2027. Ravas, 26, is a native of Senica, Slovakia, and a back-up goalkeeper on the Slovakian National Team. He will occupy an international roster spot in 2024.

Revolution first-year coach Caleb Porter and sporting director Curt Onalfo are counting on Ravas to make his own mark in MLS, but preferably in the fashion of his predecessors.

“For me there were better opportunities here coming from Poland and a new kind of challenge,” said Ravas. “I was happy to join this league and try and make my name here.”

The Revolution’s promising 2023 season turned into a train wreck after Petrovic left and Arena resigned pending an MLS investigation. The team floundered in the final months under two interim head coaches and two ineffective goalkeepers, Earl Edwards Jr. (3-4-3) and Jacob Jackson (1-1-0).

“Once I kind of heard that New England was interested in me and, once I had done my research, my mind was made up,” said Ravas.

One of the most prudent staff personnel decisions Porter made upon taking control of the team was to retain goalkeeper coach Kevin Hitchcock, a proven instructor with an eye for talent and a stickler for details.

“I know Hitchie is really excited about him,” said Porter. “He knows goalkeepers better than anybody and he’s very happy with Ravas. He sees a lot of potential in him.”

Hitchcock, who grew up in the Canning Town section of East London, established his pitch credentials as a keeper while climbing the ladder to the English Premier League. Hitchcock spent the majority of his playing career at Chelsea F.C., where he won two FA Cups and totaled 96 appearances from 1998-2001.

Hitchcock made the transition into coaching beginning with Watford F.C. in 2001. Hitchcock enhanced his coaching portfolio through top programs in England, Qatar, and India before landing in Foxboro.

The Revolution are two weeks into training camp at the club’s facility at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and have played two preseason games against New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati. Ravas has developed a sound working relationship with Hitchcock and he has two overriding reasons to follow the coach’s lead. Those reasons are Turner and Petrovic.

“He is very demanding in a very positive way,” said Ravas. “He let me know when I come in here that there are a few changes I need to make in my game, which I already knew I needed to make.

“I am trying to listen and learn from him and do whatever he wants me to do because I know he can make me a better goalkeeper. So, our relationship has been good and growing nicely. I just want to do what they want me to do.”

The Revolution hit the road in Florida for their last two preseason games. The Revolution engage Orlando City SC in Orlando next Saturday and the Philadelphia Union at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

The Revolution 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. The Revs open the MLS season at D.C United on Feb. 24.