On June 28, the New England Revolution Unified Team played soccer against the Colorado Rapids Unified Team at Gillette Stadium and were treated as professional athletes.

Major Leage Soccer Unified Teams are treated as pros, they sign contracts and get their own jerseys. MLS helps spread awareness of Special Olympics; but the New England Revolution has a special connection with Special Olympics Massachusetts because they have events throughout the year to help raise awareness.

Playing on a Unified MLS team is when people with and without intellectual disabilities play soccer in a professional setting, including at pro soccer fields like Gillette Stadium. The New England Revolution Unified Team has 16 players who are playing two games this season—one at Gillette and away game in North Carolina. The team is going play the North Carolina Football Club this weekend, July 12.

Before the New England Revolution Unified Team played soccer with the Colorado Rapids Unified Team, they had a Revolution fan zone. There was a meet and greet with players who took selfies plus signed autographs. Each player on the team had their own professional picture with their official Revolution uniform. The fans, especially young ones, think they are famous. After the fan zone fun, the Unified team went to their suite to watch the New England Revolution take on Colorado Rapids. They enjoyed the suite while cheering for their favorite players.

After their fun in the suite, it was their time to play. The Unified team went to their locker room and saw their names on their locker, and the whole team went wild. They thought they were like professional players at Gillette, which they are. They had a pep talk with Coach Deb and she said:

“We are in game mode, I want you to play and I want you to enjoy this and have fun.”    

The Unified team got to walk through the tunnel just like a professional Revolution or Patriot player. On the field, the team got to see the end of the Pro MLS game. When the Revs tied Colorado, the Unified Team went wild, including one player John who screamed, “GOALLL!” Then they were ready to play their Unified game.

Unified players walked out as a team, just like the Pro New England Revolution team and fans went crazy, including “the fort” which had flags and drummers who stayed and watched the Unified match. Some fans chanted “Let’s go Revs” in the stands and treated them like a professional team.

During the game, the Revs Unified defense was strong including Amelia Jackson who had great moves and kept the ball moving up the pitch. Also, Liam Wise was great in goal. He had great saves, and even though some went through by the Rapids he did not let it stop him, and he kept playing.

At halftime, the Revs were down 2-0, but Coach Deb pumped the team up and explained how the Pro Revs got their score back to a tied game, so they could do it too! Andrew Farrell was also at the halftime huddle and pumped up the team.

At the last second of the game, Drew Johnson scored for the Revs Unified Team and the crowd went crazy, even though final score was Rapids 3 - Revs 1.  That goal was the highlight for the Revs Unified Team because they did not give up.

At the end of the game, there was support from MLS players including Andrew Farrell, Wyatt Omsberg, Will Sands, and former New England Revolution goalie Brad Knighton who helped pass out game scarves to players.  

These Special Olympics players were treated like professional players. MLS Unified teams are very important for Special Olympics and MLS because it helps spread awareness of disabilities on the biggest stage in professional soccer.

Jess Lappin is a member of the Special Olympics MA Content Squad. The mission of Special Olympics MA Athlete Leadership is to empower athletes to develop communication skills and utilize their voices to assume meaningful leadership roles. As members of the Content Squad, athlete leaders contribute to Special Olympics MA story-telling through interviews, photos, video creation, and more.