REVOLUTION TO ADD UNDER-14 SQUAD

Revolution expands Youth Development Program with Under-14 team

Revs add U14 squad to begin play in fall for 2012-13 season

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Four years after launching its successful youth development program, the New England Revolution will expand the program for the 2012-13 season. The Revolution will add an Under-14 team to train and compete alongside the Revs’ current Under-18 and Under-16 teams.

The Revolution’s youth development program, which U.S. Soccer rated among the nation’s top eight youth programs last year, is the only fully-funded youth soccer program in New England, and competes in the prestigious U.S. Soccer Development Academy at the U16 and U18 age levels. Qualified and talented players are accepted into the program without regard to their financial situation. All players’ needs and expenses related to soccer activities – training, facilities, equipment, uniforms, travel associated with competitions – are provided by the Revolution at no cost to the players or their families.

The addition of the Revolution’s Under-14 squad will allow the top teenage players in Eastern New England the opportunity to continue their soccer development through one consistent development system. The Revolution Under-14s will compete in U.S. Club Soccer’s Northeast Pre-Academy League in 2012-13 as U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy currently only has Under-15/16 and Under-17/18 age groups.

“Launching our Under-14 team continues the on-going vertical integration of all of our competitive teams into one streamlined system, from our youth teams to the reserve squad and on to our first team you see every weekend in MLS,” Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. “Expanding our youth teams deepens our commitment to developing the top youth players in our region, players who we hope will be the Revolution’s professionals in coming years. We’re very much looking forward to growing our development program and seeing the U14s on the field next fall.”

The new 10-month Development Academy season, mandated by U.S. Soccer this winter, also means players who play on clubs which play in the Development Academy must forgo playing high school soccer. With the addition of the Revolution’s U14 squad, highly-talented youth players will have the opportunity to develop and train in the Revolution’s system for the entirety of their high school years.

“This is another critical step for the New England Revolution and for soccer in this region,” Revolution Director of Youth Development Bryan Scales said. “A cost-free U14 program, along with our fully-funded U16s and U18s, further enhances our development model and helps us continue to prepare the area’s best players for soccer careers at the highest level.”

Current Revolution Under-16s assistant coach Gary Hall will be the new head coach of the Under-14 squad.

Revolution youth players are afforded unique playing opportunities not available to players at other regional clubs. Top performers have the opportunity to train with the Revolution first team during school breaks, and also are eligible to be called up to play against professionals in the MLS Reserve League alongside first-team players. Additionally, the Revolution’s youth team receives invitations to play internationally, and most recently competed in the prestigious 2012 Future Champions Guateng tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the team earned a sixth-place finish – the highest finish by an American club in tournament history.

The Revolution Youth Development Program will conduct a series of free Revolution Training Centers (RTC) for players born in 1998 and 1999 throughout the spring for players interested in being seen by the Revs’ youth development staff. Additionally, open try-outs will be conducted in early summer.

For more information about either the Regional Training Centers, including the upcoming one on Friday, April 27, at Gillette Stadium, or the try-out process for the club’s youth teams, please email revolutionacademy@revolutionsoccer.net.

Families can also indicate their interest in attending an RTC by filling out the form at the following web page: http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/academy/revolution-training-center.

KEVIN HARRIMAN

REVOLUTION HOSTS D.C UNITED

Returning home from a 1-1-0 road trip, in which they were Jekyll and Hyde, the New England Revolution come home to face one of their longtime rivals,  DC. United.

   Let’s hope that the Revs, play the quick, precise passing, cerebral, attacking game that earned them a victory over the LA Galaxy. That 3-1 win was spectacular, and showed how they can play.

However, in their last match, a 1-0 defeat at the hands of FC Dallas, they showed the antithesis of the LA game.  To be fair, with each team looking like the ending credits to a Benny Hill episode, there was rarely an opportunity or optimism in the match.

DC, coming off a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders, come in with a little bit of confidence. With numerous players on their roster who can score, the Revs Defense will hopefully have Kevin Alston back to help anchor the backline and be able to rebuke any DC chances.

PLAYER TO WATCH:  Maicon Santos, 28, Brazil, is one of those scoring players. He has 2 goals on 4 shots on goal this season. Lets hope New England has the ability to mark him well so he can’t get a clear shot off

MILESTONE WATCH: Reis still in search of that 100th victory. Lets hope he can get it Saturday, so it doesn’t turn into a Wakefield-esque sideshow.

PREDICTION: I am going to lean to a 3-1 New England victory. They have had a few extra days to prep for DC, so I feel they will find the soft parts of the United defense and finish off their scoring chances.

GAME INFO: This match in on Comcast Net and 98.5 the sports hub starting at 4:00pm.

JAMES PERRY
  

REVS ADD DAVID VAUDREUIL TO STAFF

New England Revolution Mid-Week Update: April 4, 2012

Club adds David Vaudreuil to coaching staff, places Zak Boggs on Disabled List

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution head coach Jay Heaps has added David Vaudreuil to his staff as the club’s reserve team coach. Vaudreuil will formally join the staff when the team arrives back in Foxborough from Dallas on Friday, April 6.

Additionally, midfielder Zak Boggs has been placed on the team’s disabled list because of a right ankle sprain that he suffered in training on Feb. 14. Boggs, 25, will miss a minimum of six league matches. The first match for which he will be eligible to return is the team’s May 19 home match against the Houston Dynamo at Gillette Stadium.

Vaudreuil comes to the Revolution from Connecticut Football Club where he has coached the club’s Azzurri Premier team since 2010. Prior to coaching in his home state, Vaudreuil coached the LA Galaxy’s Under-18 team from July 2009 to early 2010. He also has recent coaching and management stints with Santa Clarita United Soccer Club, AC Milan USA Academy, Hollywood United Football Club and Chivas USA. At the professional level, he coached the Chicago Storm professional indoor team, and was the head coach of the Atlanta Silverbacks (USL A-League/First Division) from 2004 to 2005.

Vaudreuil played professionally for 14 seasons, including seven years in MLS with D.C. United (1996-97), Miami (1998), Colorado (1998-2000) and Chicago (2001-02). As an MLS defender, he made 151 appearances while scoring four goals and adding 16 assists. Vaudreuil graduated from Princeton, where he played four seasons on the men’s soccer team, in 1998. In 2007, he was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame.

“David is an excellent coach who’s played in MLS and who understands what it takes to win in this league,” Heaps said. “He’s coached at many different levels and he’s someone who I want to lean on to help develop our younger players and especially our reserve team.”

For up-to-the-minute information on the Revolution, visit the team’s official web site at revolutionsoccer.net, or follow the team on Twitter at @NERevolution, or on Facebook at facebook.com/NERevolution.

The Revolution offers a variety of ticket options. Four- and six-game mini-game plans are on sale now and start at $84 for Category 3 tickets, while 2012 Pro-rated Season tickets are available through April 14, and start at $238 for 17-game packages. Individual game tickets are also available. Call 1-877-GET-REVS or visit revolutionsoccer.net for more information about these plans or any other ticket option.

REVS BLOW OUT THE GALAXY

By Jeff Lemieux

Staff Writer & Online Host

CARSON, Calif. – Rookie Kelyn Rowe scored the first goal of his MLS career while Chris Tierney and Saer Sène followed up with additional strikes as the New England Revolution rolled to a 3-1 win over the LA Galaxy on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.

Rowe scored the game’s opening goal in the 10^th minute and Tierney added a quick-fire second just three minutes later to stake New England (2-2-0, 6 pts.) to an early 2-0 lead. Sène tacked on a third with his second goal of the season in the 65^th minute before Robbie Keane grabbed a late consolation goal for the Galaxy (1-2-0, 3 pts.).

It was the Revolution’s second straight win and the club’s first on the West Coast since 2009, snapping a streak of 11 winless games in the Pacific Time Zone. This marks New England’s first back-to-back wins since 2010 after the club failed to win consecutive games last season.

There was just one change to the Revolution lineup which claimed a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers last weekend as Stephen McCarthy returned from suspension to take the place of Blake Brettschneider. McCarthy partnered A.J. Soares in central defense, pushing Shalrie Joseph back into central midfield, Rowe wide right and Ryan Guy into the vacant forward position.

Limited to just one goal in their first three matches, the Revs exploded for two in the span of three minutes early in the first half as Rowe (10^th minute) and Tierney (13^th minute) handed the visitors a 2-0 lead.

Both goals began with Joseph, back in his usual central midfield position after serving as a makeshift center back last weekend against Portland. New England’s captain teed up Rowe for the opening goal in the 10^th minute when his left-wing cross found the UCLA product unmarked inside the box. Rowe’s initial full-volley effort was saved by Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders, but the rebound fell kindly and the rookie finished on the second attempt.

Joseph was again the provider three minutes later as his cutting through ball sprang Kevin Alston into the right side of the box. Alston drove to the byline and cut a pass back across the face of goal, finding Tierney arriving late at the back post for a well-placed finish to Saunders’ right.

Tierney continued to press forward from his left back position and tested Saunders with a pair of left-footed drives in the 25^th and 35^th minutes. First Tierney barreled into acres of space down the left wing before blasting a tight-angle drive at Saunders, while 10 minutes later he forced a quality save with a blistering free kick from 30 yards.

The Galaxy had a set-piece chance of its own in the 39^th minute when McCarthy fouled Edson Buddle 35 yards from goal, but Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis tipped David Beckham’s curling free kick off the crossbar as it appeared labeled for the upper right corner. Buddle then had a breakaway opportunity in first-half stoppage time when McCarthy slipped on the wet surface, but pushed his effort wide of the left post.

There was more action before the halftime whistle as the hosts once again hit the woodwork from a Beckham free kick, this time the left post as Reis pushed a skipping effort off the frame of the goal before Soares cleared to safety.

After entering the break with a two-goal lead, the Revs extended their advantage to 3-0 in the 65^th minute. Second-half substitute Florian Lechner – making his MLS debut – played Guy down the right wing and the 26-year-old wriggled free of his defender before whipping a cross into the box. Sène rose above his marker to direct a powerful header on frame from six yards out, and although Saunders got a hand on the effort, he couldn’t keep the ball out of the back of the net.

The Galaxy pulled one back in the 78^th minute when Keane calmly put the finishing touch on Buddle’s through ball. Breaking alone into the box, Keane feigned a shot and waited out Reis before rounding the goalkeeper and tucking the ball into the empty net. The goal proved to be mere consolation, however, as the Revs held out for a comprehensive 3-1 win at the final whistle.

The Revs now head directly to Texas as they’ll continue their two-game road trip on Thursday, April 5, against FC Dallas. Kickoff from FC Dallas Stadium is set for 8:30 p.m. ET.

New England Revolution at LA Galaxy

March 31, 2012 – The Home Depot Center

New England Revolution 3, LA Galaxy 1

Scoring Summary:

NE – Kelyn Rowe (unassisted) 10

NE – Chris Tierney (Kevin Alston, Shalrie Joseph) 13

NE – Saer Sène (Ryan Guy) 65

LA – Robbie Keane (Edson Buddle) 78

New England Revolution: Matt Reis, Chris Tierney, A.J. Soares, Stephen McCarthy (Alec Purdie 85), Kevin Alston (Flo Lechner 46), Lee Nguyen, Shalrie Joseph ©, Clyde Simms, Kelyn Rowe, Ryan Guy, Saer Sène (Fernando Cardenas 70)

Substitutes Not Used: Bobby Shuttleworth, Jose Moreno, Diego Fagundez, Jeremiah White

STATS: Shots 13, Shots on Target 9, Corner Kicks 3, Saves 3, Fouls 13, Offsides 3, Passes Completed (percentage) 395 (75.9%), Possession 43.5%

LA Galaxy: Josh Saunders, Todd Dunivant, A.J. DeLaGarza, Andrew Boyens, Sean Franklin, Marcelo Sarvas (Mike Magee 46), David Beckham (Michael Stephens 46), Juninho, Paolo Cardozo (Chad Barrett 71), Edson Buddle, Robbie Keane

Substitutes Not Used: Bill Gaudette, Dan Keat, Hector Jimenez, Tommy Meyer

STATS: Shots 13, Shots on Target 4, Corner Kicks 2, Saves 6, Fouls 14, Offsides 4, Passes Completed (percentage) 520 (77.1%), Possession 56.5%

Misconduct Summary:

None

Team Records:

LA Galaxy – 1-2-0, 3 pts.

New England Revolution – 2-2-0, 6 pts.

Referee: Ricardo Salazar

Assistant Referees: Peter Manikowski, Jeff Muschik

Fourth Official: Armando Villarreal Weather: Cloudy and 57 degrees

Attendance: 21,324

NOTES

• ·         With the win tonight, the Revolution improved to 14-16-6 all-time against LA, including a 5-10-4 mark in away games
• ·         The win also moved the Revs’ record in LA against the Galaxy to 4-2-1 in their last seven meetings in Carson
• ·         The win snapped the Revolution’s 17-game winless streak in matches played in the Mountain or Pacific time zones, which dated back to Aug. 20, 2009 … the win was also the team’s first in 12 games in the Pacific time zone, again dating back to the 1-0 win at Seattle in August 2009
• ·         The win marked the team’s second win in a row … the last time the Revs won back-to-back games was October 2010 … on Oct. 10, 2010, the Revs took a 2-1 win at Houston before posting a 1-0 shutout against Kansas City at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 16, 2010
• ·         The victory snapped the Revs’ nine-game winless streak on the road that dated back to July 2011 … the last time the Revs won on the road was July 20, 2011 – a 1-0 win at D.C. United … the Revs went 0-5-4 in that span before tonight’s road win
• ·         With a 2-2-0 record, this is the first time the Revs have been .500 in MLS play since they were 3-3-4 in May of 2011
• ·         Stephen McCarthy returned to the lineup after missing the last game – against Portland at home on March 24 – while serving a one-game red-card suspension
• ·         Jose Moreno made his debut in the game day 18, earning a spot on the bench for tonight’s game … this marks the first match for which he was available for selection since arriving in New England on Friday, March 23
• ·         Ryan Guy drew his first start at forward since arriving in New England in June 2011 … his previous seven starts for the Revs have been at either left or right midfield
• ·         Kelyn Rowe’s 10^th-minute goal was the rookie’s first MLS goal
• ·         Kelyn Rowe’s goal in the 10^th minute was the Revolution’s first road goal of 2012
• ·         Chris Tierney’s goal was his first of 2012 and the fourth of his career … the goal was also his first since July 4, 2011 – a free kick goal at Real Salt Lake
• ·         Chris Tierney’s goal was his first from the run of play since Sept. 4, 2010 against Seattle at Gillette Stadium … his other two goals (both in 2011) were goals scored directly off free kicks
• ·         Kevin Alston recorded the fourth assist of his career – and his first of 2012 – with his primary assist on Tierney’s goal … he has recorded one assist each season in 2009, 2010 and 2011
• ·         Shalrie Joseph recorded the 32^nd assist of his career – and first of 2012 – with his secondary assist on Chris Tierney’s goal … he sits third on the Revolution’s career assist chart, three behind second place Joe-Max Moore’s 35 assists
• ·         Kevin  Alston departed the game at halftime as a precautionary measure with hamstring stiffness
• ·         Flo Lechner came on for Alston at halftime, and made his Revolution and MLS debut … he slotted directly into right back for Alston with no other defensive switches
• ·         With Flo Lechner checking into the game at the start of the second half, he became the club’s 11^th new player to debut for the club in 2012 in just four games … 13 players debuted for New England in 34 games in 2011
• ·         With a two-goal lead at the half, it marked the first time since Sept. 7, 2011, that the Revs had at least a two-goal advantage at the break … in that last game, the Revs posted a 4-1 lead at halftime in Philadelphia
• ·         Saer Sène scored his team-leading second goal of the campaign, and his second headed goal off a cross
• ·         Ryan Guy recorded his first career MLS assist on Sène’s goal … in 2011, his first season with New England, he scored two goals in 11 appearances
• ·         Clyde Simms completed 44-of-46 passes he attempted tonight for a passing percentage of 95.7 percent in the central midfield
• ·         Both Kelyn Rowe and Chris Tierney put all three of their shots apiece on frame
• ·         The Revs’ three goals tonight marked the first time New England scored more than two goals against LA since May 12, 2007 in a 3-2 win in Carson
• ·         The Revs are now 2-0-0 when scoring first in 2012 … the Revs also scored first – and scored the game’s only goal – last weekend against Portland in a 1-0 win
• ·         Matt Reis picked up his 99^th career win tonight … he enters Wednesday’s game in Dallas one shy of 100 wins … he would become the sixth goalkeeper in MLS history to reach the 100-win mark

SPORTS-MINDED CAREER FAIR ANNOIUNCED @ GILLETTE

Revolution & Kraft Sports Group to host sports-themed Career Fair on April 14

Fair will include representatives from area’s sports-related businesses and panel of experts 

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – College students who dream to be among the almost 150,000 professionals working in the U.S. sports industry are invited to register for the Kraft Sports Group’s Executive Lecture and Sport Management and Entertainment Career Fair on Saturday, April 14, at Gillette Stadium.

The event will begin at noon in the Putnam Club West, and will run until 3 p.m. Registration also includes complimentary parking and a ticket to the New England Revolution match against D.C. United at 4 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.

The annual career fair offers current students and prospective employees an opportunity to network and interview with top sports-business professionals from the New England region, including representatives from professional teams and leagues; media consortiums; and entertainment and leisure businesses. Companies attending offer internships and have part-time and full-time positions to fill.

In addition to the companies attending, a panel of sports business experts will also make a one-hour presentation at 12:15 p.m., and then open the floor to questions. The panel is scheduled to include:

• New England Revolution President Brian Bilello,
• Kraft Sports Group Senior Vice President of Marketing & Brand Development Jen Ferron,
• Kraft Sports Group Vice President of Corporate Sponsorships Murray Kohl, and
• Major League Soccer Vice President of Club Services Brad Pursel.

Students can register for the event online at gillettestadium.com or by calling (508) 549-0181. Registration is $25 (before Thursday, April 12), and $35 at the doors on the day of the event.

REVOLUTION TO TAKE ON GALAXY

REVS HEAD OUT TO LA FOR CLASH WITH GALAXY

  BY JAMES PERRY

BOSTON SPORTS DESK CORRESPONDENT

   This Saturday, the New England Revolution travel to the Home Depot Center to take on the defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy. This meeting will be the only regular season meeting between the clubs due to the unbalanced schedule implemented by MLS.

   The Galaxy are coming into this match with a 1-1-0 record. They have scored 4 goals and have conceded 4 in the two matches they have played. They lost their opening match 3-1 to Real Salt Lake, then defeated the DC United 3-1 on March 18th. They then disappeared for 2 weeks before resurfacing for this match against the Revs. Playing 3 straight matches and 4 out of 5 matches at home, makes it seem as if LA is being coddled and swaddled by the MLS as the leagues first-born child.

   I know I usually tell you about key players for the opposition, but if you don’t know the abilities of Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and David Beckham, you probably aren’t reading this column anyway. There are two familiar faces on the LA roster that are old friends in Revolution history.  Pat Noonan and Adam Christman were around during the Revolution’s magical run from 2002-2008.

   PREDICTION: Really didn’t want to make a prediction on this match, but I do have to say I think New England, coming off of their first win of the year has a bit of momentum over a club that hasn’t seen the pitch since that 3-1 victory over the United March 18 and may have some rust on them.  I am going to begrudgingly say New England wins this match 3-1.

   WHERE TO WATCH: This weeks Match is on NBCSports Network at 11 pm and Also on 98.5 the SportsHub.

REVS GIVE HEAP FIRST WIN

It took 197 days, 4,728 hours, 283,680 minutes, or 17,020,800 seconds, 9 matches. No, this is not the amount of time it takes for Tony Meola, or Zach Thornton to get up after making a diving save. That my friends is the amount of time between New England Revolution regular season victories.  Yes, that is why the column is a bit late, I had to let the shock wear off.

   First and foremost congratulations to Jay Heaps on his first of what I hope is many wins as head coach.

   Think about this, the last time the Revs won a match the Red Sox were in a playoff position. Also, the Bruins were in training camp getting ready to defend their newly won cup. The Celtics were still locked out, and the Patriots had won their first game.

   The Revs home opener had an energy around it. The Riders, and Rebellion, who comprise “The Fort”, were loud and proud to get the team off their slide.  Lets just say it worked.  As New England emerged from a chippy physical match with a 1-0 victory over the visiting Timbers of Portland.

  The lone tally of the match came early on. Saer Sene, playing in his first match at Gillette Stadium, scored on a beautifully placed header.  The play wouldn’t have happened without a perfectly placed ball by Chris Tierney. Sene’s goal is tied for the eighth fastest in MLS history at 28 seconds into the match. After this goal as you can see no other goals were scored.

   However, this really isn’t the end of our match. A couple of milestones were passed, a couple of key players were injured (one on each side). Here we go:

   Shalrie Joseph, team captain, passed Heaps team record of 21,619 Minutes played. Just put that team record up with his records in games started and games appeared in. He is truly one of the two heart and soul members of this franchise. This is a perfect segway to the next player and milestone.

   Matt Reis, the other member of the heart and soul team, registered his 1,000th save as a keeper in MLS.  Reis who came to New England in 2003, played for the LA Galaxy before joining New England. Reis, did not become the fulltime keeper until 2004, as Adin Brown who just came off an MLS  Cup apperance worthy performance in 2002, manned the back line in 2003.  Matt becomes only the sixth keeper in MLS history to amass 1,000 or more career saves.

  To both these gentleman, I tip my cap.  These Milestones couldn’t be earned by two better players.

   Now, to the injuries. Kevin Alston of the Revolution and Hanyer Mosquera of the Timbers both left the match with facial injuries.  No, other reports were available at the time this was written. However, during the telecast Brad Feldman reported that Mosquera was transported to a local hospital. I didn’t see the Mosquera injury, so I can’t comment on it.

Though Alston’s injury occurred while pretty much defending an errant attempt at a bicycle kick. Man, did it look painful. To both these players, I wish a speedy recovery.

   GOLDEN FOXTAIL: The “Golden Foxtail” nomination officially goes to Lee Nguyen. Nguyen, playing all ninety minutes had two shots one that forced Perkins to make a great save. He also showed some amazing footwork that was absolutely perfect. So congrats Lee on the nomination this week.

   PREDICTION: I am actually glad that this one was wrong. Predicting 2-2 was a stretch for me. I wanted to pick New England to win, but didn’t think with what they showed after the first two matches they would. So, draw was the only inkling of positivity I could muster up.

   NEXT MATCH: On Saturday, March 31, the Revs Travel to LA to take on the defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy.

JAMES PERRY

MORENO TO PLAY SATURDAY ?

Jose Moreno spotted on field at Revolution practice. Flo Lechler Spotted on sideline, one more medical test before he has clearance and Benny Feilhaber is OUT of tomorrow’s match.

JAMES PERRY

REVOLUTION RETURN HOME TO FOXBORO

Home Opener

Revs Hope Home-Cooking Does Trick

  Saturday Mar 24th opens the home portion of the New England Revolution schedule, welcoming the Portland Timbers to Gillette Stadium. The Timbers, coming off of a 3-1 victory and a 1-1 draw, are 1-0-1 on this young season. New England comes into the match limping, suffering 1-0, and 3-0 losses, looking lazy and disinterested in those matches.

   Injuries to Darius Barnes, John Lozano, and a suspension to Stephen McCarthy, are going to force Revs coach Jay Heaps to reorganizing his back line. Does this mean sliding Chris Tierney to the back line and inserting Blake Brettschneider into the midfield, and using a 4-4-2 formation?

They very well might have to do something like that with Kevin Alston, Tierney, Soares, Tyler Polak on D? (Only starting Polak as the Revs are thinner than Kate Moss on defensive players.) A midfield of Kelyn Rowe, Brettschneider, Lee Nguyen, Shalrie Joseph, with Fernando Cardenas and Saer Sene up top.

   Also, playing a new version of Carmen San Diego called “Where in the World is Jose Moreno” is being a sideshow distraction that isn’t helping this team focus. He and Flo Lechner were both scheduled to land in New England yesterday. Yet as of press-time no news of that occurring has been confirmed.

  Portland has an all around strong attack, and tough defense. Kris Boyd, Darlington Nagbe, and old nemesis Troy Perkins in net are keys to Portland.

   Boyd, a 6-1 Scot, is the point-man to the Timber attack. He is really the play-maker for the team. His ability to use his head, and put power behind it. This could cause trouble for the New England D as if they are not alert a rebound opportunity could be placed by Matt Reis by someone of Nagbe’s ability.

   Nagbe, a 5-9 Liberian, is like a gnat around the ball and net. He is a pest that if you aren’t careful, he will strike and leave you paralyzed. Lets hope New England accounts for him all match long.

   Perkins, 6-2 American, is the keeper and anchor of this franchise in net. Playing with Portland since the teams inception into MLS, Perkins also was a thorn in the Revs side with DC. Though New England seemed to handle DC each time they played, Perkins became hated by Revs fans.

  PREDICTION (1-1): I believe that the Revs will be rejuvenated at home, and will get a Draw against Porland.  I think 2-2 will be the score.

   The match is on Comcast Sportsnet, and 98.5 the Sportshub starting at 4 pm.

JAMES PERRY

REVOLUTION OPEN HOME SEASON

GAME NOTES: New England Revolution vs. Portland Timbers

Saturday, March 24, 2012 – 4 p.m. ET

Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

                     TV: Comcast SportsNet

                            Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution (0-2-0, 0 pts.) opens its 2012 home schedule and hosts the Portland Timbers (1-0-1, 4 pts.) on Saturday, March 24, at Gillette Stadium.

Saturday’s match will kick off at 4 p.m. ET. The match will be televised regionally on Comcast SportsNet and carried locally on the radio by 98.5 The Sports Hub.

The Brazil Women’s National Team will face the Canada Women’s National Team at 1 p.m., ahead of the Revs’ home opener.