FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution (1-2-1, 4 pts.) has a bye week in the schedule this week, and returns to action next Saturday, April 13, with a road match at Seattle Sounders FC.

This week, the team will participate in a charity fashion show with all proceeds going to America SCORES Boston. Revs players and several players’ wives will model spring and summer fashions from Ted Baker London at BOND at The Langham Hotel on Wednesday, April 3. WHDH-TV anchor Sara French will emcee the show, as Kevin Alston, Darrius Barnes, Andy Dorman, Lee Nguyen, Saer Sene and A.J. Soares model looks for charity. Information about the show, including ticket information, can be found HERE. Media interested in covering the event should contact the Revolution Communications office for more information.

THIS WEEK’S TOP TWEETS

ICYMI: WEEKEND RECAP
revolutionsoccer.net:
FC Dallas 1, Revs 0
Postgame Quotes: FCD 1, Revs 0
Heaps wants improvements in “all areas”
mlssoccer.com
Heaps: “Everyone has to be better start to finish”
THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES
Revs step off field, onto runway for charity

On Wednesday, April 3, several Revs players, wives and Rev Girls will model looks from Ted Baker London’s Spring/Summer line to raise money for America SCORES Boston … held at BOND at The Langham, Boston (250 Franklin Street), and emceed by WHDH-TV anchor Sarah French, the fashion show will feature Kevin Alston, Darrius Barnes, Andy Dorman, Lee Nguyen, Saer Sene and A.J. Soares, along with Nicole Dorman, Nicole Guy and Geenamarie Shuttleworth … Dellaria Salons & Spas’ talented hair and make-up artists will style the models, while DJ Joe Bermudez will provide the musical backdrop for the evening … tickets to the 21+ event can be purchased online for $25 HERE … a limited number of tickets will be available at the door the night of the event … tickets are also available for a special VIP reception at 6:30 p.m. for $50, which will include a one-hour reception with sweet treats and cocktails, courtesy of Bombay Sapphire.

Revs boast league’s best defense

Entering this week’s bye weekend, the Revolution boasts MLS’ top defense with a 0.50 goals against average through four games … the Revs have allowed just two goals, while posting two shutouts … only four teams in MLS have a team goals against average below 1.00: New England (0.50), Sporting Kansas City (0.60), LA Galaxy (0.75) and Montreal Impact (0.80).

Backline consistency paying off

The Revs have run out the same four-man backline to start each of its four games this season: Kevin Alston at left back, Jose Goncalves and A.J. Soares at center back and Andrew Farrell at right back … the consistency has paid off, as the backline has helped the team post MLS’ best defense despite the Revs’ top two goalkeepers – Matt Reis and Bobby Shuttleworth – splitting time in goal this year, each playing two games … the last time the Revs started the same four defenders along the backline in four straight games? August 12-29, 2012 when Chris Tierney (left back), A.J. Soares and Stephen McCarthy (center back) and Kevin Alston (right back) started.

Best defensive start posted

With two goals allowed in four games, the Revs have posted the best defensive start to the season in club history … the team’s previous best start was in 2006, when the team allowed three goals goal through four games … that year, the team went on to allow an MLS-low 35 goals in 32 games (1.09 GAA) with 10 shutouts.

Matt Reis is Mr. Clean (sheet)

Despite missing two games with knee irritation, Matt Reis has posted shutouts in both of his outings in 2013 … in the season opener at Chicago, Reis made four saves in the shutout … after missing the Philadelphia game (March 16), Reis made four saves against Sporting KC for his second shutout in as many tries … going back to 2012, Reis has posted shutouts in four of his last five appearances: Sept. 1, 2012 (0-0 vs. Philadelphia Union), Sept. 5, 2012 (2-0 vs. Columbus), March 9, 2013 (1-0 at Chicago) and March 23, 2013 (0-0 vs. Sporting KC) … overall, Reis has 72 career shutouts (63 with the Revs) to rank fourth all-time in MLS history.

THIS WEEK IN ROCHESTER

• On Wednesday, March 27, the Revs loaned four players to the Rochester Rhinos as part of the teams’ affiliation agreement: defender Bilal Duckett, midfielder Gabe Latigue, forward Matt Horth and defender Tyler Polak.
• On Friday, March 29, Polak scored a goal – assisted by Latigue – as the Rhinos posted a 4-0 win over Syracuse University’s men’s soccer team in preseason action.
• Rochester’s final preseason match will be played on Saturday, April 6, against Cornell University at 3 p.m.
• The Rhinos open their USL PRO season on Saturday, April 13, in a road match at VSI Tampa Bay FC, following by a road tilt at Orlando FC on Sunday, April 14.

REVOLUTION ACADEMY UPDATE
Revs Academy returns to action this weekend

After a bye in their schedule last weekend, the Revolution Academy youth teams return to action this weekend when they travel to Maspeth, N.Y., to face Met Oval Juventus on Saturday, April 6 … the Under-14s kick off at 10 a.m., followed by the Under-18s at noon and the Under-16s at 2:30 p.m.

Season to-date records

Heading into this weekend’s games, the Under-18s are 9-2-2 (29 pts.) overall and rank second in the Northeast Division of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s East Conference based on points per game … the Under-16s hold a 7-2-4 record (25 pts.) and are currently in fourth place in the division … the Under-14s are now 7-2-0 (21 pts.), which is good for third in U.S. Club Soccer’s Northeast Pre-Academy League based on points per game.

Summer Player Development Programs enrolling

The Revolution Academy’s Player Development Programs are now enrolling for summer sessions, with locations all over New England … the Revolution Academy trains players of all abilities in all aspect of the game, including ball mastery, speed of play, coordination and balance and movement with and without the ball … the objective of all the training programs is to replicate the speed, tempo and environment of the Revolution Youth Teams’ training sessions … through the age-appropriate player development sessions, the Revolution Academy fosters an atmosphere that is competitive, challenging, demanding and fun … encouragement and support from the professional coaching staff allows every player to gain a better understanding of – and continued passion for – the game … more information, including the full spring and summer schedule, is available HERE