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Every year the New England Revolution get together with their season ticket members and have an event to kick off the new season. Every year, we get a few awesome tidbits of news that seem important so we’ll highlight some of them here.
1. Potential Deal with Hartford USL Team
Bilello: we are working with the team forming in Hartford. #NERevs
— Kari Heistad (@TravelingCEO) February 10, 2018
This as far as I am concerned is the most important thing because now everyone will have to acknowledge Connecticut’s rightful place as a part of New England. This also implies/confirms the existence of that rumored Hartford team which I refuse to believe will happen until they fix up a stadium and actually kick the ball.
Okay, that first part is only important to me, but in reality the Revs are in need of a USL partner since their deal with the Rochester Rhinos fell apart a few seasons ago. Having a USL affiliate/team (significantly closer to home as well) should be a player development priority for the Revs and a potential deal with Hartford is a nice start.
2. Rowe and Friedel Have Jokes For Days
Rowe: gets big applause at the #NERevs event. Has sense of humor saying he will take all of the easy questions and leave the hard ones to guys with less hair on stage meaning Bilello, Friedl, Burn.
— Kari Heistad (@TravelingCEO) February 10, 2018
First question, how do you expect to improve this year? He jokes it was Rowe’s fault. He said that the key players they just needed some tweaks and they are adjusting well to a new system. #NERevs
— Kari Heistad (@TravelingCEO) February 10, 2018
Kelyn Rowe, asked about playing every position on the field in past years: “I’ll play anywhere, but luckily coach sees me in the midfield, and that makes me very happy.”
— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) February 10, 2018
Friedel: “Any more bald jokes and you’ll be back at left back.” #NERevs
I think that second tweet the question was asked by a member of the audience, but I digress. This is fantastic chemistry from Rowe and Friedel and while I completely expect this from Kelyn, I am pleasantly surprised to see Friedel dishing out some smack talk as well. The Revs locker room has always been a more joking bunch and while Friedel certainly wants to mold it in his own style and probably a sense of professionalism seen in Europe, it’s nice to know the humor will still be there.
3. Stadium Tidbits
Working on renderings for most expensive stadium in league. Can’t guarantee announcement this year. #nerevs #nerevolution
— Ryan McHale (@NERevsSoccer) February 10, 2018
No planned commuter rail service for fans while Revs remain at Gillette Stadium. Hope for Boston stadium . #nerevs #nerevolution
— Ryan McHale (@NERevsSoccer) February 10, 2018
Bilello: bringing in LED boards for the games to make it a bit cooler during the games. Took down the Home of the NE Patriots sign, doing more digital to make the game experience better. #NERevs
— Kari Heistad (@TravelingCEO) February 10, 2018
So we have our obligatory SSS question, our obligatory commuter rail question, and actually that last part is new. It seems the Revs have a new setup for advertising boards in the stadium. I’m not sure the number of teams that have LED/electronic ad boards in MLS but it’s nice to see the Revs join that group.
Since we’re removing Pats things from Gillette, I will take my shot at the Super Bowl losing Patriots here and post a link to Fly Eagles Fly and Nick Foles catching a touchdown pass.
I enjoyed Super Bowl Sunday and may have called clam chowda pants for 24-hours and I’m not apologizing for it.
4. Larger 2008 SuperLiga Sign
I am very tempted to ask about the plans for a larger Superliga Banner at Gillette#NERevs
— Mat (@Marbies3762) February 10, 2018
C’mon Mat, you had one job...I kid, but this is an important question and this should be asked next year.
5. This, as always, is the best part of these events.
@IsaacAngking Thank You for making Radleys night . He kept talking about meeting you all night #NERevs pic.twitter.com/D47ESdoJfL
— nick (@Revsoccerfan) February 10, 2018
@friedel__b you’re the man. So great to meet you tonight! #NERevs pic.twitter.com/d1iIB8VYAo
— Cameron Ramos (@CamRamos95) February 10, 2018
Got to meet some of the future #NERevs stars at the @NERevolution season members night @urMARKgetSEGgo @brandon_bye Good luck for the season guys! pic.twitter.com/dqgkr43tmT
— Chris Bird (@ChrisBirdIA) February 10, 2018
#NERevs Season Members meeting two of the newest members of the squad pic.twitter.com/ZZgGUQs9g9
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) February 9, 2018
There are more items to follow up on from the Season Ticket holder event but I wanted to highlight a few of the smaller takeaways here. Thanks to Kari Heisted (who you should follow @TravelingCEO for her excellent photography) and all those who live tweeted the event.