Two More B Sides Enter The Fold
It was announced that the New England Revolution and Inter Miami will be launching USL League 1 teams starting in 2020. Sporting Director for Inter Miami Paul McDonough was excited to launch the League One side as it will play a key piece in the soon to be MLS side’s development structure.
Going from a brand new MLS side to an OG MLS side, the Revs are also diving into a second team. With changes coming to the Revs front office this season, it seems to be important to Sporting Director Bruce Arena and Technical Director Curt Onalfo to establish the Revolution II.
It almost seems certain that the Rev’s B team will be called New England Revolution II but the name for Inter Miami could be (god please not) not that generic old “II’ or “B” name. Head coaches and crests for both these teams will be released later this year as well. I am very excited about the additions of these clubs for both a USL and MLS point of view.
First, Inter Miami being able to develop a second team in its first year is a good sign for the club. Being able to have some of those younger players that are not MLS ready, staying in the city of Miami, and staying around training with the team. I think this truly shows the level that David Beckham and company want to have this team at. To me this shows a level of Atlanta United or LAFC right away. You have to think that some signings already for Miami like George Acosta and David Norman Jr. will be part of that second team.
I am thrilled for the Revs to be setting up a second team. New England has been a team that has struggled its way through MLS in recent seasons. Not really developing talent or going out and signing big time players. But as I mentioned earlier, there have been some management changes this season. Looking at the current Revs roster I think giving guys like; Nicolas Firmino, Zachary Herivaux, DeJuan Jones, Tajon Buchanan, Brian Wright, and Justin Rennicks a chance to play in that Revs system together is fantastic. Allowing for Rennicks, Jones, and Buchanan who are all so young to paly together and dominate together is a good thing for the players and the organization.
I could be wrong but I feel like there might be some USL fans not happy with this. When I look at USL League 1 this season it is impossible to overlook what North Texas SC did (FC Dallas’s B team). North Texas finished 1st in the regular season with 10 more points than the 2nd place team, they finished with two players in the top 5 of the Golden Boot race, they finished with the assist leader in League 1, and with a strong defense in the league. Why couldn’t the Revs II or Miami’s II side also be able to do this. Pushing North Texas, Lansing, Greenville, Forward Madison, and the other League 1 sides. Yes… these sides could also follow the OCB and TFC II paths… but let’s stay positive okay?
