{"id":30270,"date":"2015-01-05T18:21:53","date_gmt":"2015-01-05T23:21:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/?p=30270"},"modified":"2015-01-06T09:24:14","modified_gmt":"2015-01-06T14:24:14","slug":"11-people-to-watch-in-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/?p=30270","title":{"rendered":"11 People to Watch in ’15"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Photo<\/a>

Photo credit: Kari Heistad\/capturedimages.biz<\/p><\/div>\n

Before we get into the heart of another year of gripping storylines, crazy\u00a0hashtags\u00a0and Twitter battles pertaining to the regional soccer scene, we ask the question: Who will we be talking about the most in 2015?<\/p>\n

We don’t know that answer to that just yet. After all, it is only Jan. 5. But we have a pretty good idea of which people will be worth discussing this year.<\/p>\n

So without further ado, here are the 11 people in New England soccer we’ll be paying close attention to.<\/p>\n

1. Jermaine Jones.<\/strong> The U.S. International immediately became the face of the franchise when he signed a lucrative deal worth millions last August. He backed up the figure on his paycheck by helping the Revolution go 9-1-1 down the stretch before booking a spot at the MLS Cup final. Now approaching his first full season with the Revolution, all eyes will be cast on Jones, who may\u00a0have to\u00a0shoulder\u00a0an even greater load this year given the club’s runaway success last season.<\/p>\n

2. Jay Heaps.<\/strong> After last year’s MLS Cup run, the expectations awaiting\u00a0the Revolution coach\u00a0are higher than they’ve ever been during his tenure. Once the doormat of the conference, the Revolution have now earned back-to-back playoff berths, and\u00a0are one of the most formidable teams in the league. With anything less than a championship likely to be considered a disappointment, it’ll be interesting to see how the fourth-year head coach manages those expectations throughout the course of the season.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo credit: Chris Aduama\/aduamaphotography.com<\/p><\/div>\n

3. Robert Kraft.<\/strong> The Revolution owner\/operator certainly made a splash last year when\u00a0he\u00a0green-lighted a\u00a0multi-million dollar deal\u00a0for Jermaine Jones. The next question, of course, is when\u00a0Kraft Sports Group\u00a0will write a check to finance a soccer specific stadium. With more reports circulating that the club is\u00a0eyeing a downtown Boston location off I-93, it appears that the Revolution are as close as ever to getting their own home. Could the long awaited news finally\u00a0arrive in 2015?<\/p>\n

4. Diego Fagundez.<\/strong> If you can believe it, the Revolution midfielder will no longer\u00a0be able to lay claim to the title of teenage sensation going into 2015.\u00a0\u00a0The soon-to-be 20-year-old\u00a0is capable of conjuring moments of brilliance at the screech of a whistle, no doubt. But after a disappointing 2014, Fagundez must figure out a way to rediscover the magic he weaved during the 2013 season. One promising development: His recent selection to the Uruguay U-20 roster ahead of its South American Youth Championship run could allow Fagundez to reclaim his confidence.<\/p>\n

\"Diego-1\"<\/a>

Photo credit: Kari Heistad\/capturedimages.biz<\/p><\/div>\n

5. Fabio Machado.<\/strong> The Revolution Academy alum was not offered Homegrown protection despite leading Providence College to Cinderella run that put them minutes away from advancing to the College Cup final.\u00a0After a strong senior year (6 goals, 8 assists), many Revolution supporters will be keeping a close\u00a0eye on where Machado ends up in the SuperDraft, as well as what kind of impact he makes during his rookie season.<\/p>\n

6. Federico Molinari.<\/strong> The cerebral coach of Western Mass Pro Soccer led his team to an unbeaten fall 2014 season, going 6-0-4 and boasting a top-notch defense. And it wasn’t by accident, either. Few lower-division coaches spend as much time on gameday details as Molinari, and that work ethic has made the Lusitanos the early favorite to win the inaugural ASL championship in the spring.<\/p>\n

7. Alencar Junior.<\/strong> Where will the Brazilain striker end up next? After spending parts of the past\u00a0two PDL seasons with the Western Mass Pioneers, Junior declined the opportunity to join the organization’s pro team in ASL action.\u00a0Instead, he inked a deal with Commonwealth rival Mass United FC, but never saw the field for the Riders. Wherever he ends up, he’s sure to bring the crowd to its feet with his exquisitely-executed runs and marvelous finishing.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo credit: David Henry\/sweetdogphotos.com<\/p><\/div>\n

8. Shaun Bailey.<\/strong> After undergoing treatment for cancer, the longtime Western Connecticut State coach is ready to take on his next challenge in guiding the rebranded AC Connecticut to another playoff appearance. Fortunately for Bailey, he’ll have trusted colleague Joe Mingachos at his disposal, as well as the support of many within the Connecticut soccer scene.<\/p>\n

9. Jasir Charris.<\/strong> The\u00a0Rhode Island Oceaneers’\u00a0coach was essentially given two weeks to build his squad from scratch and, not suprisingly, had to\u00a0endure a few bumps along the way. The Oceaneers finished with a respectable 2-3-3 record during the fall 2014 season despite playing their home games at a number of different locations. A more stable 2015 should allow Charris to truly showcase his coaching chops.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo credit: Chris Aduama\/aduamaphotography.com<\/p><\/div>\n

10. Geoff Cameron.<\/strong> After realizing his World Cup dreams last year, the Attleboro, Mass. native is back to the grind of proving himself all over again for the current cycle. Given that Jermaine Jones, a longtime favorite of U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, has gotten minutes at center back in recent friendlies, Cameron will certainly\u00a0have his work cut out for him ahead of\u00a02018.<\/p>\n

11. Kristie Mewis.<\/strong> The Boston College alum has shown herself a capable performer during the current cycle, and appears to be in good position to play in her first World Cup this summer. With the appointment of Jill Ellis of head coach, Mewis should get every chance to represent the region on the global stage.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo credit: Kari Heistad\/capturedimages.biz<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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