Andrew Farrell Is "Everything You Want At The Party"

Kelyn Rowe, Shaya Rees Frum, and Nico Calabria talk about Andrew Farrell, finalist for MLS’ Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award.

Photo Courtesy of J. Alexander Dolan

Anyone who knows Andrew Farrell isn’t surprised that he’s a finalist for MLS’ Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award.

Farrell is active with the Special Olympics, NEGU Crew, Animal Rescue League of Boston, and more. 

“When it came to Andrew, it was always a yes,” Kelyn Rowe told The Blazing Musket. “He's one of those people that is not just charitable. He loves every second of helping other people, whether it be on the field, off the field, family, not family, or a stranger in the road. 

“I've seen him walk people across the street because they're a little bit slower and this car is coming. He's a truly genuine human being.”

Rowe, who played with Farrell from 2013-2018 and again in 2020, has the utmost respect for the veteran defender, and he’s not alone.

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This past season marked the return of the NEGU Crew, a program organized by the New England Revolution and Jessie Rees Foundation that offers an unforgettable match-day experience for pediatric cancer patients. 

The NEGU Crew, which stands for “Never Ever Give Up,” was previously led by Rowe and Matt Turner, but it went dormant due to Covid.

It was only natural that Farrell, who is often seen at community events organized by the Revs, helped revive this meaningful iniative. In fact, it’s a testament to his selflessness.

“This is the peak of his work week, these soccer matches. For him to spend time encouraging a child before and after the game–no matter if they win or lose–he’s proving that’s a priority for him,” Shaya Rees Frum of the Jessie Rees Foundation explained.

Though not directly connected to the New England Amputee Soccer team–Will Sands became the Revs’ ambassador when DeJuan Jones was traded–Farrell has been on the sidelines to show his support.

“Andrew has come out to a number of events and been super chill and down to earth,” club captain Nico Calabria explained. “He’s looking to connect with people. He’s just there to meet the athletes and show support.

“I just find him to be a very down-to-earth person who understands the importance of showing up for people and of taking the time to help folks. He does it in a really authentic way.”

Attending so many different events is what separates Farrell from other professional athletes.

“I didn’t even realize all of the amazing things that Andrew was doing,” Rees Frum said. “I’m a normal person with a normal job, and I can’t imagine adding all of those extra amazing things to my schedule. I can’t imagine being an athlete where you’re asked to be pulled in so many different directions.

“He’s deciding to make his community and the people around him better by giving time to really important causes. It’s truly amazing when we get the opportunity to have an athlete that is so willing to be compassionate and generous with their time and schedule.”

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Andrew Farrell’s personality was on display from the moment he was drafted first overall in the 2013 SuperDraft.

Sporting a blonde mohawk, Farrell was smiling ear-to-ear while putting on a Revolution scarf. He soon allowed Revolution fans to choose his Twitter name. Christopher Brown was the winner as he suggested @2Fast2Farrell, a handle he still uses on Instagram today.

Farrell’s giant smile and playful demeanor aren’t an act. It’s his approach to everyday life.

“If you walk into a room full of people, Andrew Farrell is the first person you hear, the first person you see, the first person you laugh at, the first person you smile at,” Rowe said. “He is not as much the life of the party, but he is everything you want at the party.”

It’s easy to root for someone like Farrell, which is why everyone eagerly waited for his first MLS goal, especially once he said he wasn’t going to shave his beard until he scored.

“The Beard Bet” came before the 2014 season. Farrell didn’t score until April 2018.

The goal, which came in first-half stoppage time against Montreal, was a right-footed strike from inside the box. It was followed by pure jubilation as Farrell went through a rolodex of celebrations before being jumped on by his teammates. 

“I remember the celebrations. There were ten,” Rowe joked. “Do you see the smile on everyone's faces? The enjoyment from his whole team that went to join him in that corner? And the excitement? The allure? It was incredible to see everyone. 

“You look at the bench as well. People are going nuts. It was an Andrew Farrell goal, but it was a team goal. But we all took it as our goal because finally, this guy gets a goal.”

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On the field, Farrell is a fierce competitor who loves to play the beautiful game.

Rowe recalls an eight-game losing streak that the Revolution went through in 2014. A stretch like this, where the team scored four goals and conceded 19, can be difficult to navigate, but Farrell remained optimistic. 

That team, in part because of the arrival of Jermaine Jones, won 10 of their last 14 regular-season games before making a run to the MLS Cup final.

“We went eight games without a win, and then ended up in the final,” Rowe said. “Part of that was we had some great experience, but Andrew Farrell was one of those guys that stayed positive. He was like, ‘Screw it. I'll just work harder because we got to get out of here somehow.’”

While Farrell can be intense during practice and games, his attitude can shift as he heads to the locker room. 

“He's just a passionate guy all the way through his life,” Rowe said. “We've had many moments where we'd fight on the field, and then after coming into the locker room, he would fake kick me again. He'd say, ‘Just kidding.’ He's just that humorous prankster in a sense.”

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Farrell just completed his 12th season as a member of the Revolution. In some ways, he’s the same as he was when he entered the league. In other ways he’s different.

Rowe, who remains in contact with Farrell, says his former teammate is “still smiley, fun, energetic, always moving around.” He also sees a person whose voice has grown over the years.

Farrell, the Revolution’s leader in starts, appearances, and minutes, understands the ins and outs of the club. When he talks, it carries weight.

“He went through his career and learned a lot from the older crowd that we had in New England,” Rowe said. “We were very lucky in our time to have such great leadership from that older generation that went through. I'm definitely saying older generation, so Chris Tierney hears that. But those guys were our mentors and our leaders that we had to then follow and Andrew followed it to the biggest point.”

Rowe compared Farrell to Sharlie Joseph, who spent 11 seasons playing for the Revolution before coming back as a coach. 

“[Joseph] was our big guy,” Rowe said. “Whenever he came back, everyone was quiet when Shalrie was talking. It was just, he had that respect. I think Farrell has now earned that respect because he's learned through the Teal Bunburies, the Shalrie Josephs, the Charlie Davieses, who stuck around for New England for a long time.”

Rowe returned to Gillette Stadium in April 2024, just a few months after announcing his retirement. It was only fitting that he wore a Farrell jersey–which was gifted to him by the player–to mark the occasion.

Rowe recalled a moment early in his career when an older player asked for his jersey. At 21-22, he was surprised by this. The player replied, “You never know when it’s going to be done. You never know who’s going to make it.”

In Rowe’s mind, it was only right to wear Farrell’s jersey as a sign of support for someone who has meant so much to the Revolution.

“There’s multiple ways to go about calling someone a legend,” Rowe said. “It could be the Man of the People, checkmark. Andrew Farrell is that guy. The guy who represented the New England name the best, on the field, off the field, captains, the longevity, things like that. 

“And then you have the stats. I mean, he's number one in all-time starts for the club, number one in all-time games, minutes played for the club. Stats, check. 

“Again, the longevity of him being around is nothing to poke at. His whole career has been in one place. His whole career has been in New England, and he's stayed true to that. I think if you're talking legends of New England, Farrell's top three, top five, easy.”