New England Revolution: 5 key players in 2019

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 11: From left, New England Revolution teammates Wilfried Zahibo, Diego Fagundez, Teal Bunbury, Andrew Farrell and Juan Agudelo celebrate a Farrell goal during a game against the Philadelphia Union at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on Aug. 11, 2018. (Photo by Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: New England Revolution forward Cristian Penilla (70) reacts to scoring during a match between the New England Revolution and the Chicago Fire on September 22, 2018, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The teams played to a 2-2 draw. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Cristian Penilla

There was no one who had a bigger year in a Revolution jersey than Cristian Penilla. Joining initially on loan from Liga MX side Pachuca, Penilla led the team in goals, scoring 12 in 33 starts.

Now a permanent member of the Revs following his transfer option being exercised in November, fans will be expecting the same form from him in 2019. Penilla has the ability to be amongst the best forwards in the league and. with new additions to the team’s attack, he might have some help leading the Revolution to a successful campaign.

Penilla’s 2018 season was a breath of fresh air for Revolution fans. Seeing a new face contribute so effectively was a nice takeaway from an otherwise subpar campaign. Penilla was not only recognized by the Revs for his performances, taking home team MVP, but he earned eight MLS Team of the Week spots, showing he’s a standout player in the league.

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Penilla has begun his second season with the Revs with some impressive preseason games thus far. Scoring in the draw with Viktoria Plzen and assisting in the win over Dynamo Kyiv is just a preview of what the Ecuadorian will bring to the table in 2019. Let’s see if it can continue throughout the campaign.

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