Brandon Bye brings versatility to the Revolution’s back line

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New England Revolution defender Brandon Bye brings a multifaceted approach to the right back position.

Bye adds durability, athleticism and aerial skills to the club’s formidable back line. That’s a valuable combination to have in play as the Revolution attempt to navigate through five games in 15 days.

“Coming out of college I was a right-sided player whether it was as a winger or outside back,” said Bye. “I think my defensive ability along with getting up the field and attacking adds to all that.

“My ability to run usually the whole game and I get up and down the field as much as possible. I have to help defensively and also create on the offensive end.”

The Revolution reach the midway point of their arduous stretch of MLS and CONCACAF opponents when they host Real Salt Lake on Saturday night (7:30) at Gillette Stadium.

The run began with a 1-0 home win over FC Dallas on March 5 and an impressive 3-0 victory over Liga MX power Pumas UNAM under adverse weather conditions on Wednesday night at Gillette. The Revolution travel to Mexico City for leg 2 with Pumas on Wednesday and resume MLS play at Charlotte on March 19.

The Champions League quarterfinals format is total goals over two games, so the Revolution have a nice cushion going into the altitude of Mexico City.

“We are feeling good and we are going to need all the players on the roster for this stretch of games,” said Bye. “I think everybody is feeling good and involved and ready to go.”

Revolution head coach Bruce Arena primarily used his optimum starting 11 versus Dallas and Pumas. But with conditioning an issue early in the season, Arena plans to make several personnel alterations against Real Salt Lake.

“There will be some turnover for sure,” said Arena. “That will be finalized on (Saturday) but we will have some changes.

“We are getting better and I think it was important to getting the two league matches in and the CCL game as well. But we have gotten better every game and that is important. We have gotten up to speed but we will really be tested over these three games in eight days.”

Bye was the Revolution’s first-round pick (eighth overall) out of Western Michigan in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft and has evolved into one of the premier right backs in MLS with the stats to support it.

Bye has played 90 minutes in both of the Revs’ MLS matches with a goal and an assist, while also playing the entire game against Pumas. He has played in 107 MLS games with 93 starts and has six goals and eight assists.

Since 2018, Bye is third among MLS defenders in aerials won (324) and seventh in duels won (608). Arena validated Bye’s contributions by tendering him a three-year contract extension through 2024.

“He’s an extremely athletic player,” said Arena. “I do know he was drafted and he started in 2018 with the Revolution and so he is just getting really comfortable as a right back.

“Last year was good for him and he’s started 2022 in good form. He has become a very good defender and he certainly adds to our attack really well with his athleticism and speed down the right flank.

“He has grown into what I believe is one of the better right backs in Major League Soccer.”

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