Revolution midfielder Wilfrid Kaptoum making his way in MLS

Wilfrid Kaptoum has grown accustomed to the rough and tumble of MLS.

The sleek, 5-9, 160-pound, defensive midfielder is expected to make his fourth straight start and fifth overall when the Revolution (5-5-4) engage Orlando City SC on Wednesday night (7:30) at Gillette Stadium.

The Revolution are coming off a 2-1 road win at Sporting Kansas City on Sunday. The Revs are unbeaten (3-0-3) in their last six matches and are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Kaptoum came of age in the FC Barcelona Academy where finesse and ball skills are the points of emphasis. That identity training served Kaptoum well in his six combined seasons with Barcelona, Real Betis and UD Almeria. Kaptoum also competed internationally for his native Cameroon.

“I think he’s adjusting to our style of play, which is different from the background he’s had previous to coming to the Revolution,” said head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena.

“I think he’s made progress. He’s technically good, a good passer of the ball. I think in that position on the field, we need better passing and he gives us that and possession.”

Kaptoum signed with the Revolution on Dec. 23, 2020, and made contributions to the club’s record-breaking season and first Supporter’s Shield in 2021. Kaptoum appeared in 21 games with 11 starts and scored his only goal against Chicago on Oct. 16.

Kaptoum was used as a substitute through the early third of this season before becoming a fixture in the starting 11 on May 21, a 3-2 win at Cincinnati FC.

“I feel more adjusted right now to the play here but that is the sport of soccer,” said Kaptoum. “Some players take more time to become adjusted to the style of play and those things like that and some players need less time.”

Kaptoum’s learning curve in MLS was accelerated from being on the same pitch with central midfielder Carles Gil, the league’s reigning MVP. Gil is a premier playmaker and he serves as the Revolution’s distribution center in the possession game and the delivery system on set pieces.

“For me, it is a pleasure playing with Carles Gil,” said Kaptoum. “He just makes things easier on his teammates and specifically in my case.

“He gives me the best options and solutions and those are the things that made a difference in games.”

Keeper Matt Turner is available for the next two games before crossing the Atlantic to join Arsenal of the English Premier League. But it looks like Arena will start Serbian rookie Djordje Petrovic against Orlando City SC. Petrovic competed in a pair of U.S. Open Cup matches before making his MLS debut at Sporting Kansas City.

“Like any young goalkeeper he needs games and as he continues to get games he’s going to improve,” said Arena. “He’s been training with Matt Turner and our other goalkeepers and he’s got to understand what we’re about.”

The start time for Revolution’s match against Minnesota United FC on Sunday night has been moved to 5 p.m. It was slated to start at 8.