The Bent Musket, a New England Revolution community

It may not have been expected at the start of preseason, but after a stellar February, Gabe Latigue earned his professional contract with the Revolution on Friday.

Last season, the Revs were god-awful on set-pieces and got beaten up all over the field by physical teams. The two issues are strongly linked, and here's why those problems need to be fixed to be successful this year.

Even with all the heartache of the last three seasons, isn't it tough not to be excited and optimistic going into a new Revolution season? Here's a quick rundown of key additions, losses, and some predictions to get you ready for First Kick.

The Revolution are mere days away from kicking off their 2013 season. What competitions do you think they have a realistic chance of winning?

In 2012, the Revs struggled mightily to find their tactical identity. Ahead of the 2013 season, Devin Pleuler bears down on what happened last year and how it translates into a need for width, balance and asymmetry in his first TBM effort.

With First Kick rapidly approaching, Matty Jollie begins to take a look at the Revs' depth chart and how this team may line up in Chicago.

The Revs lost 2-0, and didn't look all that great at times, but really now. Can we all agree that someone forgot the memo that said "take it easy on the rough stuff, this is a preseason game?"

Revolution rookie Andrew Farrell has gotten through his first professional training camp, surviving ten days in Casa Grande. Head coach Jay Heaps likes what he saw, but knows to expect more, and Farrell is ready to deliver.

With little to analyze other than what was provided by New England's @NERevsLive account on Twitter, we take what we can from today's pre-season friendly against Sporting Kansas City.