Revs’ Kaptoum adjusting to life in MLS
Ex-La Liga midfielder used to technical over physical
Soccer is a global sport that is not universal in style and substance.
New England Revolution central midfielder Wilfrid Kaptoum will attempt to transition his game from the finesse of La Liga in Spain to the rough and tumble of MLS.
“I think they are different leagues,” said Kaptoum, whose responses were translated by the club’s communications coordinator Harold Rivera.
“I think the first impression for me is that here the soccer is a little more physical than technical and in Spain it is the other way around, it is a little more technical than physical.”
Kaptoum, 24, is a 5foot-9, 159-pound skill player from Cameroon who began his formative training with the Barcelona Academy in 2008. He would gravitate up through the ranks with Barcelona before switching to Betis (2018-20) and then on loan to Almeria for eight games last season.
Kaptoum’s international experience includes a twoyear stint on the Cameroon U-20 National Team and one uneventful season (2019) with the senior club. Revolution sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena has a track record of successfully acclimating international players to the ways and means of MLS.
“Well, technically he is a good player,” said Arena. “Like any new player coming into the league, there’s an adjustment period, so we watched him the first day of training camp and he looks to be in good condition.
“It will be interesting to see how he moves along in the preseason, but he’s a player that can play the central part of the mid
field. He’s a good passer of the ball and we just need to see how he’s going to adjust to the game of Major League Soccer.”
Kaptoum signed with the Revolution as a free transfer on Dec. 23, one of the crucial team-building acquisitions orchestrated by Arena in his dual role.
Kaptoum will compete for playing time in one of the deepest positions on the roster when Arena is utilizing a 4-2-3-1 formation. Scott Caldwell started 18 games last season while Tommy McNamara and Matt Polster started 12 apiece.
Luis Caicedo made 56 starts for the Revs in 2018 and 2019 but missed last season with an injury. Caicedo will be motivated to reclaim his place with the starting 11.
Kaptoum expressed confidence that he can secure a place in the Revolution’s plans from how well he has fit in during the opening days of training camp.
“I think the team is in a very good position with good players and it has a good technical staff,” said Kaptoum “I feel very good and I feel I am in a good position to give this team my all.”
Goodbye, Columbus
Emmanuel Boateng, 27, is an MLS veteran who participated in the Columbus Crew’s 1- 0 victory
over the Revolution in last December’s MLS Eastern Conference championship game.
The Crew went on to win the MLS title but declined to exercise their contract option with Boateng. He signed with the Revolution as a free agent on Jan. 7.
Boateng, a 5-foot-6, 150-pound winger from Ghana began his professional career in Sweden before joining the LA Galaxy in 2016, where he played one season for Arena. Boateng has made 121 MLS appearances with 68 starts, nine goals and 14 assists over five seasons with the Galaxy, D.C. United and the Crew.
He is an accomplished wing but will be competing with Teal Bunbury, Gustavo Bou, Carles Gil, Tajon Buchanan, Justin Ren
nicks and Daniel Rivera for playing time on either the right or left flank.
“It was a no-brainer when the opportunity came to joining back with him (Arena),” said Boateng. “We have a great group here that is working hard.”
Brain over brawn
A. J. DeLaGarza is substantially undersized for the center back position, but that has never been a detriment in his MLS career. DeLaGarza, 33, is a 5-foot-9, 150pound MLS journeyman who was a key contributor to Arena’s three MLS title runs with the LA Galaxy in 2011, 2012 and 2014 that included two Supporters’ Shield awards.
DeLaGarza will be competing
for one of the two slots at center currently occupied by the Revs’ two beefcakes — 5-foot-11, 185pound Andrew Farrell and 6foot-4, 185-pound Henry Kessler, who is currently training with the U.S. Men’s U-23 National Team.
“Smaller guys get to hear ‘you’re not big enough’ and all those things but I think when you are smaller you have to be smarter,” said DeLaGarza. “I started playing center back when I was 14 years old and that was my sole position.
“I don’t see myself as a physical presence but someone who can organize and make smart reads in the game and knowing what is coming before it happens.”