Every successful team has an identity. For New England's second team, that identity starts at the back. Anchored by a defensive unit that ranks among the league leaders in several statistical categories, Revolution II has built their early-season success on organization, consistency, and a commitment to keeping opponents off the scoresheet.
Revolution II, currently tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with 25 points, have limited opponents to just 10 goals this season, ranking third in MLS NEXT Pro in fewest goals conceded. Much of that success has come from limiting opponents’ opportunities, as Revolution II are tied for the fewest shots allowed in the league with 42.
Revolution II’s defensive mindset has fueled a six-match unbeaten streak, marking the third-longest undefeated run in club history. Emerging as two of the leaders in the backline during the successful stretch are center backs Jake Shannon and Gabe Dahlin. In the last six matches, Shannon and Dahlin have each logged six consecutive 90-minute performances and helped guide the team to four shutouts during that span.
“I think it’s not only the defenders. We defend as a team,” Dahlin said about the success of the backline. “It all starts with the press, and when we press good, we don’t really have to do much.”
The pair has not only been integral defensively but has also contributed to the attack. Over the past six games, Dahlin has distributed three game-winning assists, while Shannon has found the back of the net twice.
“We just try to be in the right spots at the right time,” said Shannon. “I feel like Gabe and I have made a good partnership where we are able to contribute to the team in the best way that we can.”
Alongside Shannon and Dahlin, defenders Damario McIntosh and Jared Smith have become mainstays on the backline in recent weeks. McIntosh, an 18-year-old Homegrown Player, has contributed on three goals this season, tallying two assists and a game-winning goal. Smith, who joined the MLS NEXT Pro side in March, has worked his way into a starting role, earning three starts in his last four appearances — all during the club’s current six-match unbeaten run.
Another key component of New England’s defensive excellence has come between the posts. Goalkeepers Donovan Parisian, J.D. Gunn, and Max Weinstein have all logged minutes this season, each playing a role in the club’s six clean sheets, tied for the third-most in MLS NEXT Pro.
That success has come from multiple sources. Parisian, the club’s 2025 first-round MLS SuperDraft selection, owns three shutouts this season, while Gunn, a Panama international, has added two. Most recently, New England turned to Weinstein, a 22-year-old Academy graduate, who made two saves in his season debut to help secure the club’s sixth clean sheet of the campaign at FC Cincinnati 2 on June 7.
“You hear a constant voice behind you, and we just have 100 percent trust in whoever is behind us and that helps us going forward as a team,” said Shannon.
In a sport often defined by goals, Revolution II have found strength in preventing them. New England’s defensive mindset has become a cornerstone of its identity, reinforcing a belief shared throughout the club - good teams can score goals, but great teams are built on defense.
