Three reasons to be optimistic about Kamara joining the Revolution

By now you've had plenty of time to digest the big news: Kei Kamara is officially a member of the New England Revolution.

The signing comes at critical time for the Revs, who are 1-3-7 to start the year despite being anointed as MLS Cup favorites by some pundits during preseason. Will Kamara help the Revolution put more tallies in the wins column? Here are three reasons to be optimistic:

1. Kamara scores goals. Let's start off with the simplest observation. After collecting 22 goals and eight assists in 2015, Kamara was named as a candidate for league MVP, a title he would ultimately lose to Sebastian Giovinco. The Sierra Leone international has already grabbed five goals this year, with four coming in the last four matches. The Revs, who currently list Diego Fagundez as their lead scorer with three, need a bonafide threat at the point of the attack. The team has already cycled through Charlie Davies, Juan Agudelo, Teal Bunbury, and Femi Hollinger-Janzen without finding their ideal striker. Kamara should be that player. The Revs create 10.82 chances per game but have only scored 1.18 goals per game. Acquiring Kamara should help raise that second statistic.

2. Kamara likes to shoot. Someone (either Wayne Gretzky or Michael Scott) once said that you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Kamara has obviously taken these words to heart, as the striker isn't afraid to shoot. The former Sporting KC man has taken an average of four shots per game this season, which is significantly higher than Bunbury (2.22), Agudelo (1.75), and Davies (1). It's clear that Kamara, who averaged 4.22 shots per game in 2015, isn't shy when it comes to launching a shot. This is a good thing for the Revolution, who are currently listed as 14th in shots per game with 11.4. Not only will Kamara's shot production hopefully lead to more goals, but it should also present more opportunities for Lee Nguyen, Kelyn Rowe, and rest of the midfield since opposing defenses will have to keep a close eye on Kamara.

3. The Revolution finally have a target for their crosses. According to WhoScored.com, the Revs are averaging 20 crosses per game this season, which is the 8th highest mark in MLS. Unsurprisingly, Columbus Crew SC tops the list with 26 per game. Kamara has a knack for getting on the end of crosses, which is how he grabbed the majority of his tallies in 2015. The arrival of Kamara has to especially excite Chris Tierney as the Revolution left back is among the league's top players in terms of crosses and corners with 59 total attempts. Though the Revs have historically liked to play the ball on the ground, more success from the flanks will open up more space in the middle.