FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Despite finishing second in the club’s Golden Boot race this past season, Leo Campana knows that he has much more to offer the New England Revolution. He readily admits that 2025 didn’t meet his own lofty standards, individually or as a team, but he’s more determined than ever to flip the script next year.
“We need to improve a lot of things, especially me. I take responsibility for what happened this year. We need to keep working and renew our heads for next year,” he said following the season-ending 2-2 draw with Chicago. “It’s enough. We need to be a team that has to be in the playoffs, has to compete. As I say, it starts with us, and our mentality.”
Campana arrived in New England last offseason with high expectations. He was one of the Revolution’s biggest signings ahead of 2025, which saw more than a dozen new players join the squad in a roster overhaul. While his seven goals and one assist offered glimpses of a star striker, he’s confident that his ceiling is much higher.
With a full offseason to recover and prepare, the Ecuadorian attacker is focused on leading by example in 2026. In both energy and mindset, Campana is keen on coming back stronger than ever.
“I spoke with Matt Polster, and I told him I want to be tougher on the guys. I think we need to change a couple of things, and it starts with training. It starts with us,” Campana explained. “We need to compete better. I told him we need to raise the levels and to compete. It’s best for the team.”
Campana stressed that effort has never been the issue; the emphasis now is on mentality and raising the everyday standard.
“It starts with the players. The coaches have a part in that, also, but it starts with us. We are the ones that play and are in charge during the game, so it starts with us and it’s on us,” he said.
Limited to just 24 appearances (20 starts) because of a series of muscle injuries, Campana struggled to remain consistently healthy in 2025, a stretch of 12 games through the summer months his longest consecutive period of availability. Working closely with the Revolution medical staff throughout the season, he says he feels confident that he will come back stronger in 2026.
“I will keep working hard and listening to what the doctors tell me, and hopefully next year I will have a better year in goals and in terms of injuries,” he said.
Campana is admittedly approaching the offseason with more than just the Revolution on his mind. With Ecuador already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he’s focused on regaining his best form and earning a place on the final roster.
After playing with Ecuador in a pair of recent friendlies, Campana says he will do whatever it takes to be ready for next summer’s quadrennial showcase.
“I am going to be in that World Cup, no matter what it takes,” he said. “It’s good pressure. This year, it starts with us, with me, and I felt I didn’t perform in the way that I used to be. Next year I am going to be a totally different player. I am confident in that.”
