BRADENTON, Fla. – With goals in two of the Revolution’s first three preseason matches, it’s becoming apparent that Alhassan Yusuf is starting to connect with his teammates on the pitch. Joining the club late last season, Yusuf's focus on those connections with his teammates is his top priority during preseason camp.

“I think that’s the main reason why we come to this training camp; to get know each other and to connect on and off the pitch,” he said. “I think that’s the real reason we are here and we’re getting there as a group.”

While he’s starting to feel more comfortable with his fellow Revolution players, he admits he’s still adjusting to life in New England. When he joined the Revs in late August of last year, it took Yusuf a while to find a home. From there, he spent significant time back in his home country of Nigeria while playing with the Nigeria National Team, and then continued to spend time there in the offseason, as his wife and family are still located there. Going into 2025, Yusuf says he is looking forward to settling in and making New England feel more like home.

Prior to starting his MLS career in 2024, the central midfielder had played for Belgian top tier side Royal Antwerp FC since 2021 and started his career with Swedish side IFK Göteborg in 2018. Growing up in Nigeria, Yusuf has experienced the global culture of football by playing in so many countries, and it’s something he says is universal wherever you go.

“I don’t see any big difference,” he said of adjusting to playing in the States. “Football now is a global thing. I think it’s all the same."

While adapting to MLS has come naturally to him, it wasn’t always so easy adjusting to life as a professional athlete, especially when he was a teenager learning to live on his own in Sweden. That’s why he has taken one of the Revolution’s youngest signings, 18-year-old Ugandan midfielder Allan Oyirwoth, under his wing.

Since the moment Oyirwoth touched down in Florida, he has seemed to look to Yusuf for guidance. “It’s funny, because I would say maybe it’s because we come from a similar background, I see myself in him,” explained Yusuf. “So that’s why he needs help, especially from me, to follow the same path. I find it really easy to show him how to do stuff."

Off the pitch, Yusuf has embraced that leadership role. On it, he’s making his impact known. With two goals to his name so far this preseason, he is looking forward to contributing more to the attack in 2025.

“We have a different system than last year,” he explained, as he’s found himself a bit further up the pitch in recent games. “It all depends on where I’m playing, you know? The last two games we played, I have kind of played this role up front, so if I keep playing there, more goals and assists are going to come."

Beyond his individual goals for the season, Yusuf is optimistic about what this updated Revolution squad can accomplish in 2025. He believes there is a newfound energy on the team, with players truly on the same page and ready to compete at the highest level.

“I think we're aiming really high because the goal, it's clear, for everyone,” he said. “Especially for me, with this squad we have, I think we can fight for everything. We’re already on the same page – the players, the staff, the club. Everyone in general. So, we’re going to fight for everything, and we’re going to give it a try.”

That ambition was set from the moment the team touched down for preseason. Yusuf says head coach Caleb Porter has made expectations clear, ensuring that every player understands the standards that have been put in place.

“I think from the first meeting, the coach set the standard really high,” he explained. “He said that he’s going for the title, so everyone knows what’s at stake. It’s a really big expectation. I’m just excited to see how this group is going to deliver, you know? But I trust the guys. I think one way or the other, we’re going to be there.”