FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Andrew Farrell started the first 30 games of the 2018 season for the New England Revolution, marking the sixth straight year that the 26-year-old defender has started at least 30 matches to begin his professional career.
Unfortunately, Farrell’s 2018 campaign may well end on 30 appearances as the former first overall pick has suffered what head coach Brad Friedel called “a pretty bad hamstring injury” that’s expected to sideline Farrell for at least a few weeks.
With only three games remaining in the regular season and the Revolution now playoff longshots, there may not be enough time for Farrell to get back on the field this year.
“I don’t know how many weeks (he’ll be out), but it will definitely be at least three,” said Friedel.
Farrell suffered the injury in the late stages of the Revs’ loss to Toronto FC on September 29, and he departed that match in the 85th minute before missing this past weekend’s trip to Atlanta.
Brandon Bye filled in for Farrell on the right side of defense at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the rookie may well continue in that role as the Revs close the regular season against Orlando City SC (Oct. 13), Real Salt Lake (Oct. 18) and the Montreal Impact (Oct. 28).
“Andrew is a lovely character and he’s one of the guys that is the life of the team,” Friedel said of Farrell, who has worn the captain’s armband through much of the second half of the season. “He will be missed, but I’m sure he’s going to work to get back as soon as possible.”
