Following a strong preseason that included several wins against MLS competition, the New England Revolution are ready to fire out of the gates once the regular season comes around.
After a disappointing first year for coach Caleb Porter, he and Revolution sporting director Curt Onalfo revamped the roster and aim to have the team back in contention in 2025.
New England will play five games over the first six weeks of the season, with three of those matches coming at home.
Here’s something to watch in each of those contests.
Feb. 22 — at Nashville at 8:30 p.m.
Teal Bunbury is still waiting to score against the Revolution as a member of Nashville SC. The 34-year-old Canadian forward spent eight seasons in New England before he was traded to Nashville after the 2021 season.
Though he has five appearances against the Revolution as a member of Nashville, he still hasn’t logged a goal against his former club.
Bunbury’s playing time has fluctuated in recent years, but he still posted 32 starts in 2023 and 2024 combined. Watch for him to try and get a little revenge on the Revolution in the season opener.
Chicago Fire midfielder Alvaro Medran (10) and New England Revolution forward Teal Bunbury (10) chase after the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Chicago, Saturday, April 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Black)AP
March 1 — at Gillette vs. Columbus at 7:30 p.m.
The ties between the Revolution and the Crew run deep.
New England current’s coach Caleb Porter led Columbus for three years before heading East, and a number of players have flipped sides in recent years.
The most notable of the changes may be US Men’s National Team defender DeJuan Jones, who was traded midseason last year after five and a half years with the Revolution’s senior team. In that deal was fellow defender Will Sands who started five games for New England in 2024 after the switch.
Another recent swap is Luis Díaz who joined New England on a free transfer this offseason and previously spent five seasons with Columbus.
Other moves at the second team level include Jayden Da and Keegan Hughes who each spent time with the Crew’s organization before joining the Revolution this winter.
March 8 — at Gillette vs. Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m.
The Union have made it a point to dominate the Revolution over the last two years.
In 2023, Philadelphia swept New England in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs, outscoring them 4-1 overall and eliminating them at Gillette Stadium.
Last season, the Union took both regular season matches, winning 3-0 in New England on May 18, then blasting them 4-1 in Philadelphia on July 17.
The Revolution have won just one of their last eight matches with the Union. March 8 will present a great stage for revenge and a statement win for a New England club that had a down year last season.
Philadelphia Union defender Damion Lowe, left, hits New England Revolution forward Gustavo Bou (7) in the face while they chase the ball during the first half of an MLS playoff soccer game, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. Lowe received a yellow card on the play. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)AP
March 15 — at NYC FC at 7:30 p.m.
Similar to their recent history with the Union, the Revolution desperately need to get a win against NYC FC.
New England has not beaten New York since Sep. 4, 2022, and lost all three matchups last year, including a loss on penalties in the Leagues Cup.
The last win for the Revolution at Yankee Stadium was in October of 2020.
March 29 — at Gillette vs. New York Red Bulls at 2:30 p.m.
Perhaps the Revolution’s biggest rivals, New England has played the Red Bulls 97 times in the club’s history, dating back to the inaugural MLS season when they were the MetroStars.
This season’s first matchup will provide a history lesson for some new additions to the MLS. Red Bulls added two European veterans this offseason in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Alexander Hack.
After extensive time with the top clubs like Bayern Munich, Mainz and, PSG, the duo get to see how the Americans handle their rivalries in this early-season matchup.
