Following the declaration of a need for additional pieces within the team, Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution made a significant addition to their roster before the close of the MLS primary transfer window on Tuesday, acquiring center-back Xavier Arreaga from the Seattle Sounders. In exchange for the 29-year-old Arreaga, New England traded a 2024 International Roster Spot and up to $75,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), a sum that is contingent upon the fulfillment of certain performance metrics. “We targeted a top-quality central defender,” Porter stated after practice Tuesday afternoon, highlighting Arreaga’s contribution to Seattle’s MLS Cup victory in 2019 and his participation in all eight games of the Sounders’ successful CONCACAF Champions Cup run in 2022. Porter praised Arreaga’s experience, quality on the ball, and ability to play out of the back, describing him as “a real calm presence.” As Porter seeks to implement a more possession-oriented style than under Bruce Arena, Arreaga is expected to play a crucial role in connecting the defense and midfield. Notably, Arreaga is also an Ecuadorian international, having featured in South American World Cup qualifying, which gives him the unique experience among current Revolution players of having faced Lionel Messi in a competitive match. The Revolution’s next match is against Inter Miami on Saturday at Gillette Stadium. The acquisition of Arreaga was not New England’s sole move on Tuesday, as the club also added goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič on a free transfer. Ivačič, a 30-year-old Slovenian, previously played with the Portland Timbers from 2020 to 2023 before being released by the club in March.
New England Revolution Bolsters Defense with Xavier Arreaga Acquisition
