New England trades for Ghanian winger who won 2022 MLS Cup and two Supporters’ Shield titles with LAFC
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have acquired midfielder Latif Blessing from Los Angeles FC in exchange for $400,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money. LAFC could receive additional GAM if certain performance metrics are met.
Blessing, 26, departs LAFC as the club’s all-time leader in games played (145) and minutes played (9,749). He also ranks second in assists (23), and fifth in both goals (14) and shots (146). One of the first players to join LAFC via the 2018 MLS Expansion Draft, Blessing spent his first MLS season with Sporting Kansas City in 2017. For his MLS career, the attacking midfielder owns 170 regular season appearances, 17 goals, and 24 assists, with five more starts in the MLS CUP Playoffs.
“Latif Blessing will be a very good addition to our team. He is a veteran MLS player with championship caliber experience,” Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “Latif’s speed and quickness are welcomed characteristics for our midfield. We look forward to his arrival in preseason.”
A native of Accra, Ghana, Blessing played in 30 games in 2022 en route to the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield titles with LAFC. In 2019, he helped the Black and Gold win their first Supporters’ Shield title by setting a career highs in appearances (34), goals (6), and assists (6). The following winter, he played in four of LAFC’s five games in the 2020 Concacaf Champions League, starting the final vs. Tigres after scoring a late goal in the semifinal win over Club America.
In his first MLS season with Sporting Kansas City, Blessing won the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title, scoring three goals in five appearances including a tally in the final. He finished his first regular season with three goals in 25 league games. Prior to his arrival at SKC, Blessing was the 2016 Ghana Premier League Player of the Year after he led the top-flight Liberty Professionals with 17 goals in his first senior season.
MLS Season Pass: Apple and Major League Soccer have announced that MLS Season Pass will launch on February 1, 2023 – introducing an unprecedented subscription service to fans that features every live MLS and Leagues Cup match, as well as hundreds of MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT games. MLS Season Pass will be available on billions of devices through the Apple TV app Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and on the web at tv.apple.com.
Starting February 1, fans can subscribe to MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app for $14.99 per month during the season or $99 per season, and Apple TV+ subscribers can sign up at a special price of $12.99 per month and $79 per season. As an exclusive benefit of their full-season membership, New England Revolution Season Members will receive one MLS Season Pass subscription with each account. Visit Revolutionsoccer.net or call 1-877-GET-REVS to learn more about becoming a Season Member.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution acquire midfielder Latif Blessing from LAFC in exchange for $400,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money on Jan. 3, 2023.
LATIF BLESSING AT A GLANCE:
Right-footed winger departed LAFC as the club’s all-time leader in games played and minutes, while ranking second in assists and fifth in both goals and shots.
With LAFC, won the 2022 MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield titles in 2019 and 2022.
Finals experience spans the MLS Cup Playoffs, Concacaf Champions League, and U.S. Open Cup.
Led Sporting Kansas City to the 2017 U.S. Open Cup title with three goals in the tournament, including a tally in the final.
Led Ghana Premier League in scoring with 17 goals for the Liberty Professionals in first senior season.
LATIF BLESSING
Full Name: Latif Atta Blessing
Pronunciation: la-TEEF
Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 12/30/1996 (26) – Accra, Ghana
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 140 lbs.
Nationality: Ghana
Previous Clubs: Los Angeles FC (2018-22); Sporting Kansas City (2017); Liberty Professionals (2016)
How Acquired: Trade with LAFC in exchange for $400,000 in 2023 GAM on Jan. 3, 2023
