Revolution Legend Says Everett Stadium Would Make Boston "A Top Five Market"

Twellman: "It will move the needle anything like anything else in the Revolution will do."

Apple TV broadcaster Taylor Twellman believes that building a soccer-specific stadium for the New England Revolution would make Boston a “top five market in Major League Soccer.”

Twellman, who collected 101 goals while playing for the Revolution between 2002-2010, will participate in the 35th annual American Century Championship this weekend. Fans can watch the action on NBC, Peacock, and Golf Channel. 

But before the former striker tees off, he took time to talk about the current state of the Revolution.

Of course, the topic of a stadium came up.

The Revs have long sought to build a home of their own, and the hope is that it could happen in Everett.

The lot being looked at is a decommissioned power plant at 173 Aflord Street. If the project is to advance, the 43-acre parcel of land must be reclassified since it’s currently a designated port area (DPA). This is being discussed in the state legislature.

There’s still a lot of work to be done, but Twellman believes that a Revs stadium in Everett would be a game-changer.

“If that stadium gets built it's a top five market in Major League Soccer,” Twellman said. “You won't convince me any other way. And that's because it's in the backdrop of downtown Boston. It will move the needle anything like anything else in the Revolution will do.

“And their attendance records have been fantastic the last four, five years. The numbers don't lie, but that stadium needs to be downtown. Downtown Boston, metropolitan needs to recognize how important the younger inclusive, diverse crowd that would come to the Revolution games and make that a part of it.

“I can promise you this, the Red Sox probably don't want that stadium because that means there's a real, real threat to the younger fan base that are dying to have that downtown.”

While the stadium will always be a subject of interest for Revs fans, so will the hunt for the elusive MLS Cup.

The Revolution have been to five finals, but have yet to win the ultimate prize. The hope is that Caleb Porter, who lifted the trophy with the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew, can change that.

While the Revs went 2-10-1 to start the season, they’ve found success recently, winning five of the last seven.

Twellman understands the frustration from fans but also believes that Porter needs time to implement his vision.

“This has been a difficult time for a Revolution fan,” Twellman said. “It's been a difficult time because over the last 12 months there's been a lot of uncertainty with the program. There's been a lot of uncertainty.

“I think Caleb Porter has come in, and Caleb Porter is trying to win his third MLS Cup with his third different team, which would be the first manager ever. I do think time has to be on his side to build that roster and to dive into the Revolution project.

“But in saying that, I have no beef whatsoever with the fans being a little unsettled with what the Revolution looked like right now. I think this summer's important. I think this winter coming up is massive because I think then you can see maybe a little bit more freedom to sign players.

You can hear more from Twellman by listening to the latest episode of Revolution Recap.