FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Revolution II are on their way to the playoffs for just the second time in team history, thanks in large part to Marcos Dias and his record-breaking season for the Revs’ second team. Leading the league in assists, Dias set a new single-season MLS NEXT Pro record with 13 helpers. To honor his tally, Dias was awarded the league’s inaugural title of MLS NEXT Pro Playmaker of the Year.
Having previously played as a forward, Dias acted as more of an attacking midfielder this year. He said the shift required an adjustment process, but it’s a style of play he obviously mastered quickly, as he leads Revs II with 23 goal contributions, adding 10 goals to his record-setting 13 assists.
“I wasn’t expecting it, because last year I only had five assists. I more than doubled that this season, but it wasn’t something I was waiting for. It brought me a lot of happiness and shows the strength of our team. Without the attack and our defense, I wouldn’t be able to make those assists,” Dias explained with translation help from teammate Malcolm Fry, who learned Portuguese with the sole purpose of connecting with his non-English speaking teammates.
The Brazilian attacker logged two final regular season assists in Revolution II’s 5-2 Decision Day win over Inter Miami CF II. Already leading the league in assists prior to that match, it was at that moment that Dias knew he had likely secured the Playmaker title.
“I didn’t even know prior to the last game that this was even an award. I heard before the Miami game that it was going to be something, so before that game I did everything I could to get some more assists,” he said with a laugh.
When the award was officially announced following the final games of the regular season, Dias was surrounded by congratulations from his coaches and teammates. With the title, he became the first Revolution II player to earn a year-end accolade, but to him it says far more about this season’s team than it does about himself.
“It just shows the strength of the team on and off the field. Anything that I’m achieving is just a testament to the strength we have within the team,” he said. “They all congratulated me, but I congratulated them, too, because without their help I wouldn’t have this title.”
This season, New England’s second team have had a complete shift from last year’s struggles. In 2024, Revs II finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table and secured only 22 points, fewest in the league. This year, New England have been on fire, matching their single-season wins record (14) and finishing third in the Eastern Conference.
As the team prepares to begin their postseason quest, Dias says there is a quiet confidence across the Revs II locker room.
“Honestly, everyone is relaxed. We’ve done so much work throughout the year, and we’ve shown our quality. We are calm and we are confident, knowing if we can keep doing what we have been doing, then we can get a positive result,” he said assuredly.
Dias and the Revolution II squad will move into the Quarterfinal Round of the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs next week, as they’ll host Chicago Fire FC II at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 19 (TICKETS) at 6 p.m. ET. With momentum on their side and Dias leading the charge, Revs II are ready to make more history.
