Revs clinch inaugural U.S. Amputee Cup!

The New England Amputee Soccer Team have written their names into soccer history by clinching the first-ever U.S. Amputee Soccer Cup.

The inaugural four-team tournament – presented by MLS and hosted in Columbus, Ohio – saw the Revs emerge victorious against Metro NY Amputee Soccer, the Columbus Adaptive Sports Connection, and Colorado, before the team defeated New York once again in the showpiece Final to secure the trophy in emphatic fashion, boasting an impressive 100 percent record.

Demonstrating the rapid growth of the sport, the tournament was a tremendous success. Attended by 47 players (the largest number ever to gather in the country), the two-day competition marked another significant breakthrough for the game, and an immensely proud moment for the Revs.

As one of the more established sides to compete, the Revolution entered the tournament as firm favorites, and kicked off against a familiar foe in New York. Locking horns regularly over the last few years, the two sides have developed a healthy rivalry, with the Revs having edged all previous encounters. U.S. National Team Captain Nico Calabria and co. produced a superb opening display with Ronny Angel, Player of the Match Musabwa Nzirimwo and the captain on the scoresheet to earn a 3-1 win.

Following up with impressive triumphs of the same scoreline against Colorado and hosts Columbus (with Nzirimwo, Calabria, and Angel all netting again), the squad stormed to the Final, setting up another intriguing clash against New York. A Calabria penalty and NY own goal clinched the silverware for New England, as well as the Golden Boot prize, which was shared between he and fellow three-goal hero Nzirimwo.

Played 7-v-7 on a three-quarter-size field with the six outfield players utilizing forearm crutches and one leg, and the goalkeepers only having use of one arm, amputee soccer is currently contested in 60 countries. With professional leagues hosted in the likes of England and Turkey, the sport is regarded as highly-technical and tactical, with the best teams in the world showcasing exceptional physical strength and fluid movement.

In 2024, the U.S. Amputee Cup will be held in New England, hopefully doubling the number of its participating teams, whilst the United States National Team is gearing up to compete at its first Women’s World Cup tournament.

Congratulations, Revs!

Roster: Corey Laycock (GK), Pierre Fernando (GK), Jack Manning, Vinny Fischer, Nico Calabria (c), Kamal Muhammed, Kelvin Jimenez, Ronny Angel, Musabwa Nzirimwo, Michael Connors