Been a While

First off, apologies for the lack of info coming out of here in the last week. It’s been busy and just getting through some of the projects we HAD to do took priority. So, we’re sorry for that.

That said, how about some of the news this week?

Broadcast Booth Bits

The ten days between games that the Revolution just enjoyed couldn’t have come at a better time. After the rigorous opening twenty percent of their schedule, the break will have given New England’s walking wounded a chance to get closer to fitness as well as an opportunity for the veterans who were stretched to the limit to get a well-earned rest.

Nicol Visiting ESPN Studios!

If you’re a world soccer fan - as we’re sure you are - be sure to check out ESPN2’s live coverage of the Liverpool-Chelsea Champions League semifinal that begins at 2 p.m. this afternoon. Steve Nicol will be live in-studio in Bristol to represent Liverpool on the pregame/halftime/postgame commentary panel.

He’s been down there many times before so he’s used to this live broadcast pressure, but we’ll see if he handles the pressure of needing an outright Liverpool victory or a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, to secure a berth in the first-ever all-EPL Champions League final. The former Liverpool defender still bleeds Anfield Red through-and-through, so keep your fingers crossed for him.

Will you be cheering for the Reds or the Blues this afternoon?

Special Event Designations

A few questions have been raised to our ticketing group and through feedback about how the Special Events tickets in the season-ticket packages will be used now that we have a new event. Please see the list below for the designations as they stand now:

Special Event A: Brazil vs. Venezuela, June 6, 8:30 p.m.

Special Event B: SuperLiga - Revolution vs. Santos Laguna, July 13, 8 p.m.

Special Event C: SuperLiga - Revolution vs. Pachuca, July 16, 8 p.m.

As you can see, the events have been re-lettered to take in to account this most recent game addition so it coincides with the calendar. If you have any further questions, please call your account representative or 1-877-GET-REVS.

Brazil is Back!

So here is the big news: Brazil is coming back to Gillette Stadium!

Big News Comes and More Coming …

Big news is coming out of Foxborough today.

First the announcement about the world-class Showcase Live! coming to Patriot Place this summer and now one from the Revs. You may have heard the rumors online or in the news. Hmmm, what could it be??

Stay tuned for the official announcement which should be coming a bit later tonight.

Travel Tails

Following last night’s win, at least everyone was in a good mood this morning when we piled out of our Frisco hotel and on to the bus for the ride to DFW airport in rush-hour traffic. Except, the bus didn’t want to go anywhere.

Our driver tried for about 25 minutes to get the bus started, and we were so concerned about getting to the airport on time, that we had the hotel bring the shuttle over to load the team bags while a load of cabs were called to bring everyone to the airport. Except, as soon as everyone got off the bus and all the bags were loaded into the shuttle, the bus started. We re-loaded as fast as we could and crossed our fingers that we didn’t have to stop on the way to the airport.

Tonight’s Lineup

Well, here it is. Lineups are in for tonight’s game at FC Dallas. New England’s is a bit of a change from usual:

Reis
Igwe — Heaps — Parkhurst — Hilgenbrinck
Thompson — Joseph — Flood — Smith
Cristman — Mansally

Bench: Warren (GK), Dube, Valentino, Fernandez, Wadsworth, Tyler, Brill

Thoughts? Predictions?

Broadcast Booth Bits

If you want to see how far the Revs young’uns have come in a short time, tune in to ESPN2 tonight as they take on undefeated FC Dallas at 8:30 p.m. This will really be one for the boys if they can pull off a result.

Not to denigrate the available players – all of them have proven they are up to this level – but no fewer than six New England starters are expecting to be missing tonight. We know Steve Nicol can do a lot with unproven talent…this will be a live audition for some players under strenuous circumstances.

Dallas Doings

We were pretty lucky to get into Dallas last night when we did. A big line of storms moved through the area last night with torrential downpours, hail, tornadoes (warnings in this area) and lots of thunder and lightning.

After traveling with the reserves the first three trips of the year, we’re down to the regular 18-man gameday roster. But with six starters back in Foxborough, we pretty much have the same guys on this trip. The list of who DID NOT make the trip: Taylor Twellman (knee surgery), Steve Ralston (dislocated shoulder), Chris Albright (bone bruise in his ankle), Mauricio Castro (red card suspension), Sainey Nyassi (abductor strain) and Jeff Larentowicz (ankle sprain).

What’s your guess on how Steve Nicol will line the boys (and which boys) up tonight? Leave your thoughts!

And a little bit of trivia … on August 11, 2004, the Revs came to Dallas to face the then-Burn with only two (TWO!) available subs on the bench — and came out with a 3-0 win.