Spending time with the first and second team, the rookie has been developing in his first MLS season.
There was a lot of hype surrounding Edward Kizza.
The 24th overall selection in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft was described as a proven goalscorer by Bruce Arena. With Kizza taking up an international spot on New England’s roster, it was also clear that the Revs believed in him.
So far this season, Kizza has bounced around with stints on both the first and second team. In New England’s last matchup against Philadelphia, Kizza gained the first start of his young MLS career.
The Ugandan has appeared in nine games so far this season and has been able to register three shots on net in the span of 153 minutes played.
With Revs II, Kizza has shown what he is capable of. He has gained seven starts with the second team and has tallied four goals.
For the striker, this season has been all about developing as a player whether that means being on the first or second team.
“I think for me during the beginning of the season it was tough that I wasn’t getting games with the first team but then it was all about my development,” said Kizza. “So I think the coaches, just talking to them and agreeing (to) playing games with the second team, I think that was very big for me developing as a player and I think it’s helped me be ready for when my name is called up. I think playing with the second team has prepared me to be ready for the first team.”
Kizza added that he knows he still has a long way to go to become the player that he wants to be. He also added that his teammates have been very helpful when it comes to his improvement.
“The guys have been very, very helpful. They always talk to me (about) things I need to improve on. They always encourage me even in the tough times,” Kizza said. “That has made it very, very easy for me to adapt from playing with the second team to playing with the first team.”
Kizza said that when it comes to his development that he has been focused on various different aspects of his game.
“Everything you do you got to give your best and I think for me where I’ve improved the most is movement off the ball, getting my first touch cleaner, all those things I’ve improved but I need to be much better,” he said.
For the 22-year-old, it doesn’t matter what team he is on, he tries to build relationships with his teammates.
“It’s not all about you, it’s about those around you,” said Kizza. “So if those guys are able to play with you, able to do the things you want, able to make you look good, they also look good.
With Kizza and the development of other young players, New England seems to be in good shape to be a competition in MLS for the foreseeable future.