Tajon Buchanan taking confidence from Club Brugge transfer

Tajon Buchanan has admitted his upcoming move to Club Brugge has boosted his confidence - but insists he's still fully focused on the New England Revolution.

Buchanan enjoyed a wonderful summer at international level, scoring his first goal for Canada to equalise against Mexico in the Concacaf Gold Cup.

Unfortunately, the Canucks lost out to a 99th-minute Hector Herrera strike, but it was still their best performance at the competition since 2007. Buchanan meanwhile did enough to win the tournament's Young Player Award and a place in the Best XI.

Buchanan also has seven goals and five assists in 21 appearances at club level with the Revs, who are 16 points clear of any other team atop the overall MLS standings.

All of this combined to convince Brugge to pay $7m for his services back on 24 August, loaning him straight back to the Revs. Since then, Buchanan has notched two goals and an assist in seven appearances for club and country. More than that, he has terrorised opposing defenders with his blend of speed, skill and strength.

Speaking to reporters after New England's 2-1 win over Orlando City at the weekend, Buchanan admitted he's taken confidence from his move to Belgium, but that his focus remains on being a "difference-maker" for them.

“I guess you could say that a little," Buchanan responded when asked if his impending departure has lifted his performance.

The 22-year-old added: "I’m kind of just playing my game right now, trying to finish the season strong because it is my last season here. Just trying to do what I can every game to be a difference-maker and help this team win games. We have a long stretch coming up and hopefully, we can keep winning games and I can keep helping the team.”

Next up for the Revs is a trip to CF Montreal on Sunday as they seek to take another step toward sealing the Supporters' Shield.