Season Ticket Member Event Highlights: Child Steals Show with Blunt Question, Supporters Upset Over Lot Changes

Kids will be kids

Photo Courtesy of New England Revolution

Correction: An earlier version of this post included a question and answer that didn’t accurately portray a response from club president Brian Billelo regarding the moving of the STM lot. The tweet has been replaced and I (Sam Minton) would like to apologize to Brian, the New England Revolution, and our readers.

The New England Revolution held their season ticket member event and fans got to speak their mind and ask questions.

Club president Brian Billelo, sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena, and DeJuan Jones answered questions from the crowd. Here are the highlights from opening remarks made by Billelo and Arena along with fan questions.

Josh Nye @JoshNye8798

Brian Bilello says keeping Brad and Charlie apart of the Revs team was key.

Glad to see the team recognized the value of keeping Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies. For Revs fans I think they will offer some superior knowledge of the club compared to announcers covering multiple teams.

Josh Nye @JoshNye8798

Bruce touches on the rise of international interest in Revolution players and believes “it will always be that way”.

This is an interesting comment just considering how far the Revs have come. When it comes to selling players to Europe and making profits from transfers, the team has improved a ton.

Josh Nye @JoshNye8798

Bruce jokes how it will take 6 weeks to grasp the concept of the new playoff format. He ends by noting how it’s the Revs goal to qualify in 2023.

Making the playoffs should be the bare minimum for the Revs in this new format. If they fail to there will need to be wholesale changes.

Josh Nye @JoshNye8798

Bilello notes how structured schedule games (Wednesday and Saturday night games) are expected for the foreseeable future.

Let’s pour one out for the photographers who will miss the beautiful shots of day games. I will be having a lot more late-night drives from Gillette Stadium this season.

The Rebellion 🛡 @NERebellion

Q: can we find out more about injury A: MLS is not mandated to disclose injury, and we don’t want to tell our opponents, we want to keep it low key.

Arena takes his cues from Bill Belichick when it comes to releasing injury info. That won’t be changing in 2023.

The Rebellion 🛡 @NERebellion

Q: Revs supporters lot moved to 3B, concerns for our disabled supporters. A: Next best to STM lot. Disabled lot is available to those members. It’s not that much further, 22 second walk from old lot.

Billelo answered questions about the supporters lot being moved.

Liz @LizMcGowan_14

Arena says that he does not consider Bou to be a 9, unlike Wood, Vrioni, and Altidore. But says that it’s still early, and the reason for so much depth at that position is due to injuries. #NERevs

An interesting and rare tactical response from a fan question. Arena’s right and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bou out on the wing to get both him and Vrioni into the starting XI.

Josh Nye @JoshNye8798

DeJuan is Team Messi!

Jones is correct, Messi clears Penaldo.

Liz @LizMcGowan_14

Question regarding the concern with loss of points late in recent games. Arena: “As disturbed you are with losing those games, we are too… It’s simply being focused mentally at the end of games.” #NERevs

This echoes what we heard from Jones earlier in the day. The Revs need to stay locked in for 90 minutes.

The Rebellion 🛡 @NERebellion

Q: Brian plan for attracting more people to soccer A: World Cup games at Gillette. Have amazing players. Having games at Gillette will help casual fans

Banking on the World Cup is a choice. If the Revs really want to attract more fans, having their own stadium would help.

Josh Nye @JoshNye8798

Is Ema in the Revs 2023 plans? Bruce: yes he is

We stan our short king. With how long he has been on trial it would have been stunning of Boateng went elsewhere. I still think he is a valuable bench player who can turn the tide of games.

Caleb Pongratz @CalebPongratz10

Bruce Notes Maciel is out for the year. #NERevs

Not surprising but confirmation nonetheless. If placed on the season injury list, this opens up a roster and international spot.

Liz @LizMcGowan_14

“Will we ever have away bus trips again?” Bilello: “It’s a really expensive program… We found a small percentage of our fans took advantage of it… We’re listening to our fans and trying to do things that make the most difference.” #NERevs

Liz @LizMcGowan_14

Bilello notes if the Revs make the playoffs, they will do a bus for fans. #NERevs

RIP to regular season bus trips it appears. I will use this to plug a story I did with new Riders president Aoife Creighton who fell in love with the Revs on a bus trip. At least they will have them if the Revs make the playoffs.

Liz @LizMcGowan_14

“Last year our team gave up a lot of goals because you played Omar Gonzalez. Will you make the same mistake?” Arena: “…Sitting in the stands or watching at home is one thing, versus actually playing… When players make mistakes we try to support them and move on.” #NEREVS

First off, it should be noted that a child asked this question. Kids sometimes say things without realizing how mean they were but this child might have a future in journalism.

Liz @LizMcGowan_14

“When will grass return to Gillette?” Bilello: “Grass will definitely be at Gillette in 2026. We’ll take the turf out after the Patriots season in 2025 and lay down the grass… If it was a Revolution only decision, we would play on grass.” #NERevs

This might be one of the biggest answers of the night in terms of insight. Billelo basically puts the blame on the Patriots for the turf at Gillette. NFL players aren’t happy with turf so maybe we could see this change permanently. Also, this emphasizes why having your own stadium is important.

The Rebellion 🛡 @NERebellion

Q:New stadium? A: we are making it the best it can be at Gillette, but it’s still a goal.

*Insert sad face