FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Kelyn Rowe made a name for himself with the New England Revolution, appearing in more than 200 games while registering 29 goals and 40 assists between 2012 and 2018, a stretch that included a start in MLS Cup 2014.
Similarly, Rowe also made a number for himself in New England, as he sported the No. 11 shirt during his entire seven-year run in Foxborough.
There was some question, though, when Rowe returned as a free agent for the 2020 season – after splitting 2019 between Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake – whether he’d regain the No. 11, which had been claimed by Tajon Buchanan last season.
The short answer: yes. Rowe will wear the No. 11 jersey in 2020, while Buchanan made the switch to the No. 17 shirt vacated by the departing Juan Agudelo, now with Inter Miami CF.
“(The club) reached out to me over the offseason and asked if I was open to switching, and since Juan Agudelo left the team, I was open to it because 17 was my college number, and it’s one of my favorite numbers,” said Buchanan, who wore 17 during his two years at Syracuse University. “I’m happy with my new number.”
Although the transition was seamless and Buchanan was more than obliging, Rowe was still thankful for the generosity and said he’ll be rewarding his new teammate with a gift – just as soon as Buchanan turns 21 on February 8.
“I offered him a dinner out in the city or a very nice bottle of wine on his 21st birthday,” Rowe said. “We’ll see what he decides. There was nothing beforehand. We didn’t speak until he got here and he’d already changed his number to 17, so it was quite an easy transition.”
It’s not the only switch as Michael Mancienne, who wore the No. 28 during his first season-and-a-half in New England, has transitioned to the No. 13, paving the way for newcomer Alexander Büttner to take the No. 28 shirt he’s worn throughout his career.
Numbers for New Players
Adam Buksa – 9
Alexander Büttner – 28
Jeff Caldwell – 25
Henry Kessler – 4
Damian Rivera – 72
Kelyn Rowe – 11
Seth Sinovic – 16
New Numbers for Returning Players
Tajon Buchanan – 17
Michael Mancienne – 13
