Edward Kizza finding form with New England Revolution II

Former Pitt striker Edward Kizza was selected by the New England Revolution in the 2021 MLS draft in January, and from that point until July, he had a quiet rookie year. However, after a move down from the Revolution to the Revolution II reserve team, Kizza has come alive in August, regaining his old form and embarking on a three-game scoring streak.

Kizza scored his first two professional goals on Aug. 5, when the Revolution reserve team hosted North Carolina FC at Gillette Stadium. The first goal of Kizza’s career came in the 49th minute of the match, when Colby Quiñones lofted a pass into the box that found the Ugandan striker. Kizza then headed in the shot to put his team up 2-0 in the match.

The second goal came in the 74th minute, when Hikaru Fujiwara found Kizza at the top of the box with only the goalkeeper to beat. Kizza then drove a shot into the back of the net to put the finishing touches on a 3-0 victory for the Revs and secure a brace. Kizza’s two-goal showing was also historic, as it was just the second multi-goal game in team history.

On Aug. 14, the Revolution II faced the Richmond Kickers in Foxborough and fell behind by two goals. However, the Revs reserves evened the score with two late goals, the last of which came off the head of Kizza in the 87th minute. Once again, the Ugandan made history, as his equalizer was the latest ever scored by a Revolution II player.

Kizza then extended his scoring streak on Saturday, when the Revolution II headed to Erk Russell Park in Statesboro, Georgia, to face South Georgia Tormenta FC. After two first-half scoring chances for Kizza were fended off, the Pitt alum scored in the 60th minute, when a shot by Connor Presley ricocheted off the hand of Tormenta FC goalkeeper Pablo Jara. The ball found the foot of Kizza, who tapped it in for his fourth goal in three games. However, Tormenta FC would net an equalizer, denying the Revs reserves a road victory.

All told, Kizza has now played in eight games with the Revolution II and scored four goals in that span, with each of those goals coming in the last three matches. Before beginning his extended stay with the reserve team, the rookie played in seven games with New England’s MLS club and nearly scored for the top-tier team in his pro debut but instead hit the crossbar with a header. That remains his lone MLS highlight to date, but given his current run of form, there may well be more to come.