Kelyn Rowe: Revolution are “Controlling games, finding ways to win”
Winners of five of their last six matches, the New England Revolution will look to remain red-hot tonight when they visit Western Conference opponent Seattle Sounders FC for the first time since 2019.
A familiar face will be in the booth for Seattle’s local radio call tonight in former Revolution midfielder Keyln Rowe, who spent eight seasons in New England from 2012-2018 and 2020. Rowe, a Washington native, played three seasons for his hometown Sounders before retiring after the 2023 campaign.
Rowe joined D.J. Bean on “The Soccer Show” this morning to preview tonight’s clash between two of his former clubs. Like the Revolution, the Sounders are also on a good run of form with a 3-0-1 record over their last four games.
“It’s two teams that are kind of coming into their own and are trying to figure out what their identity is,” Rowe said of tonight’s match. “I think they have found it a little bit. But I’m going to give the edge to the Revs a little bit because the way Seattle is winning right now is chaotic.
“It’s the love story of ‘we’re together, we’re not together, we’re back together.’ It’s this chaotic, last-minute, emotion. They’re finding a way to get results and that’s fearful for other teams because they’re kind of becoming that Seattle of old that just finds ways to win.”
Rowe has a long list of former teammates who will suit up for both clubs tonight, including Revolution defender Xavier Arreaga, a former Sounder himself from 2019-2024. Arreaga, who joined New England during the Primary Transfer Window in April, reached out to Rowe for advice on how to make himself at home in New England.
“I always tell people that Boston is one of my favorite cities that I’ve lived in,” Rowe said. “It’s incredible. I told [Arreaga] that when he has a moment, and you have a day off or two days off, and it’s the summertime like it is now, make your way to the Cape. Find some real relaxation. The Cape, the Vineyard, Nantucket, you can go down to Narragansett.”
New England returned to the win column on Wednesday night, tallying a 2-1 win over Atlanta United FC at Gillette Stadium behind forward Giacomo Vrioni’s second two-goal performance of the season. Wednesday’s victory lifted New England to within two points of the playoff line in the Eastern Conference standings.
“I like the way the Revs have really come into it,” Rowe said. “You see players stepping up, and they’re winning games right out. They’re controlling games, they’re finding ways to win. I’m even going to throw away that Columbus game because it’s a one-off, it’s a wash. Their month of June was pretty incredible. Then you saw that response in the midweek against Atlanta to bring that ‘Oh no, that was a fluke for us, that Columbus game. We’re back on track.’”
Tonight’s match kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET and airs on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. Listen to the Revolution’s local radio call here on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies calling the match.
