FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – It’s been nearly a year since Alhassan Yusuf arrived in MLS to begin his journey with the New England Revolution late last August, and while he is quiet and reserved off the pitch, his presence on it has made plenty of noise.
The Nigerian midfielder made his first appearance with the Revs last September against Orlando City. In the seven matches he played to close out the 2024 season, Yusuf notched two assists and quickly built chemistry with the squad. It’s that chemistry he says has transformed the team this season and has made him feel more at home in New England – both on and off the field.
“The teammates, the atmosphere we’ve created in the locker room, I think that’s the biggest thing that helps us on the pitch when we are playing,” he said. “It’s a big thing mentality wise, because what you put in off the pitch also shows on the pitch. The chemistry helps a lot.”
New England have been on a strong run of form, recently going nine games unbeaten from mid-April to mid-June. It was a dramatic turnaround from early-season results which saw the Revs go winless in their first four to start the year. Now 17 games in and at the schedule’s halfway point, Yusuf says they always knew wins were going to come.
“Even though we had so many new players join the team and in the beginning it was hard, we knew something would come like this. The way we have been putting everything together, we’re getting the results we want and that’s a good feeling,” he said. “There is always room for improvement, and we know when things are going well we have to keep going, stay focused, and be consistent.”
Through New England’s first 17 games, Yusuf has registered two assists and scored his first-ever MLS goal, which came at an important time for the Revs; they had won four games in a row and were on the road to take on Orlando City SC – the same team Yusuf made his debut against nearly a year ago. Down 2-0 early, Yusuf led the comeback charge, scoring his first MLS goal off an assist from Ilay Feingold in the 38th minute.
In a true show of character, Yusuf didn’t allow the excitement of his first goal to overcome the task at hand. With the Revs trailing 2-1, there was still work to be done, but his strike proved a turning point, shifting the game’s momentum and sparking a comeback that ended in a hard-fought 3-3 draw. It was a night that emphasized the mentality of this Revolution roster, and it started on the foot of Yusuf.
“I didn’t get to celebrate the way I wanted, because we were still down, but of course scoring my first goal for the team was a big moment for me,” Yusuf explained. “It was a great feeling, but we needed to come back in the game, and we did.”
His growing comfort within the squad has clearly helped Yusuf feel increasingly at home in New England. Still, for the 24-year-old, feeling at home isn’t just about chemistry on the pitch or friendships in the locker room – he also knows the importance of staying connected to his roots back in Nigeria. For Yusuf, reconnecting with his culture is just as important as finding home in a new country.
With the team enjoying a well-earned bye week prior to facing off with FC Cincinnati, Yusuf took the opportunity to travel back to Nigeria to spend time with his wife and family. While he typically enjoys relaxing on his off days, this break was about more than rest. He was refreshed in a different way as he celebrated Eid, feasted on ram with his family, and reconnected with his culture and community back home.
“It was nice, as always, to go back home with the family, spend some time with friends, and see my wife,” he said with a smile. “It had been a long time since I got to celebrate Eid back home, so it was a very good time. It’s always good mentally to have this time and to get away from football for a few days and come back ready for the rest of the season.”
Back in Foxborough and with the first two matches of a three-game homestand behind him, Yusuf is excited to remain at Gillette Stadium to finish off the month of June. With one more home game before the calendar flips to July, Yusuf knows it’s an important chance to gain more points in front of the Foxborough Faithful.
“The atmosphere in the stadium is really important and with our supporters, I feel like I’ve connected with them very quickly. They have made me feel at home here already,” Yusuf explained. “It’s always good to win games, especially in front of our supporters. I want to see the joy in the crowd, make them happy, and make them proud.”
