FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – When he was just 16 years old, Javaun Mussenden moved more than 1,000 miles away from his hometown of Dallas, Georgia to Foxborough in pursuit of a dream. Now 18, that dream is coming true. The midfielder, a product of the New England Revolution Academy, has officially become a professional athlete.
Earlier this month, Mussenden became the 15th player in Revolution history to sign with Revolution II directly from the Academy.
“It’s definitely a great feeling to be able to say that now,” said the teenager. “It’s a great feeling, knowing that everything I’ve worked for has started to show, to see all the hard work I put in to get to this moment. It's definitely a great feeling knowing that I did it, but there's still more to be done.”
Mussenden has been part of the Revolution’s residency program since 2023, living with a host family while he’s been away from his own. While it wasn’t always easy, Mussenden explains that as soon as he started training, he knew he was exactly where he needed to be.
“I was definitely having a bit of a mixed emotions going away from family, but my mom told me everything happens for a reason and if God sees this as my plan, then this is my step to greatness. This is what He had planned for me,” he said. “Once I got here and I settled in, I realized this is the place for me and I could definitely grow in this environment.”
Leaving home wasn’t just a big move for the teenager – it was a big change for his family members, as well. But to go pro hasn’t just been a dream of his own, it’s also a dream that’s been passed down to him and shared by both his brother and father.
“My family is really happy for me. I’m the first in the family to go pro. It was always everybody’s dream. My brother’s dream, my dad’s dream, so for me to do it, they’re very proud. They told me they knew it would all be worth it,” he explained.
Mussenden rose through the ranks of the Revolution Academy, earning the title of 2024-25 Revolution Academy Player of the Year. Showing outstanding promise in New England’s Pro Player Pathway, Mussenden had already made his MLS NEXT Pro debut in August of 2024. He appeared with Revs II for parts of the past two seasons, tallying one goal and two assists over 26 MLS NEXT Pro appearances, including 16 starts.
For Mussenden, his experiences in the Revolution Academy have given him inspiring examples of how far he can go. Living with defender Peyton Miller in the residency program, Mussenden watched a teammate’s journey from Academy prospect to first team star – an example that proves his ambitions are within reach.
The relationships he’s already developed within the second team give him confidence as he enters this next chapter. Mussenden worked with Pablo Moreira while training with the first team last year when Moreira was an assistant, and has since reunited with him as Moreira prepares to lead Revs II. Having already played on the second team roster and settled into the group, Mussenden’s goal is simple: hit the ground running and keep going.
“I definitely think this is a big moment in my career. As I move along, I’ll always remember my first signing. It's definitely the most important one. So, as I move along in my career, I’ll always remember this opportunity that New England gave me,” said Mussenden. “I just can’t wait now to get some games under my belt knowing that I’m a professional. I’m playing for a lot more now and I can’t wait to get back out there and play.”
