FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Fans coming out to Gillette Stadium on Saturday afternoon might want to wear their New England Revolution t-shirt, under their New England Revolution sweatshirt, under their New England Revolution jacket, under their New England Revolution jersey.
In other words, it’s going to be cold.
Just about 48 hours out from kickoff of the Revs’ home opener against Orlando City SC, forecasts show high temperatures in the upper teens on Saturday. A game-time temperature below 20 degrees would likely earn the official designation of “coldest game in MLS history.”
That’s not a problem for Kei Kamara, however, who says the colder the better against an Orlando side that will spend the week training in temperatures in the mid- to lower-80s.
“I don’t think it’s going to be cold enough,” Kamara said with a laugh. “That’s going to be our advantage when they come here. It’s going to be cold and the field is in our advantage.”
This will be the 11th home game the Revs have played in the month of March – all since 2008 – with the coldest bottoming out at 34 degrees on March 28, 2015. Many of those games have been at least partially affected by windy conditions, as well, and Chris Tierney said swirling winds could be a bigger factor than cold temperatures on Saturday afternoon.
“Once it kicks off, you’re just playing a soccer game regardless of the temperature,” he said. “I think wind is probably the biggest factor and will be in the game, so hopefully it’ll be conditions where we can get the ball down and pass.
“But whatever the conditions are, we’re not going to use it as an excuse. We’re going to expect to win the game no matter what.”
The Revs expect to win every time they play at home, in part because of the support from the stands. And while frigid temperatures would drive away fans in many other markets, New Englanders embrace the cold, and Kamara expects it to bring out the best in them this weekend.
“People in Boston, they love the cold,” Kamara said. “They come out to support the teams when it’s cold weather. I can’t wait.”
