Storylines to Watch:
Short-handed for the Home Opener
The Revs will be without two starting centerbacks, Antonio Delamea and Claude Dielna, after they were sent off in a 2-0 season-opening loss to Philadelphia Union in Week 1 action. Delamea's red card came in the 24th minute, while Dielna's second yellow of the night came in the 86th minute as the visitors finished with just nine-men. The Revs will look to fill the gaps with Jalil Anibaba, rookie SuperDraft picks Nico Samayoa and Brandon Bye, and Andrew Farrell.
A legend steps up to lead
The Colorado Rapids will not be the only team heading into the game on March 10 in Foxborough, Massachusetts with a new manager at the helm. This offseason the Revs hired former US mainstay Brad Friedel to be the club's seventh head coach after parting ways with Jay Heaps last September. Friedel is regarded as one of the most successful US Soccer goalkeepers in history, and has played for the likes of Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur during his illustrious 21-year career. Friedel joins New England after serving as head coach of the US U-19 Men’s National Team.
Player to Watch:
Despite a roller-coaster 2017 for Kelyn Rowe, the 26-year-old is expected to return to New England’s starting lineup in 2018 bringing versatility and flexibility to the Revolution’s attack after missing nearly all of September and October due to a right knee sprain.
The 2012 SuperDraft pick appeared in the USMNT starting lineup for a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina on January 28, 2018. Rowe made his mark the previous calendar year after scoring his first international goal on July 15 against Nicaragua, helping the US win the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.
Rowe was notably left out of Friedel's Starting XI in New England's Season Opener against Philadelphia Union on Saturday. He did sub on for Diego Fagundez in the 76th minute, and nearly earned an assist off Brandon Bye's shot from outside the box in the 83rd minute.
Rapids Recent Form vs New England:
The Rapids defeated New England 1-0 in 2017 Season Opener at DICK's Sporting Goods Park and will look to do the same this year at Gillette Stadium. The visitors will encounter a very similar New England side with a notable absence in leading goal scorer Kei Kamara, now with Vancouver.
The Rapids have the edge in the head-to-head series overall but have lost all three previous trips to Gillette Stadium.
- Overall: Colorado 20 wins, 67 goals | New England 15 wins, 59 goals | 9 ties
- At New England: Colorado 6 wins, 28 goals | New England 11 wins, 40 goals | 5 ties
- Last meeting at New England: Colorado 0, New England 2 (September 3, 2016)
