FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Andrew Farrell has always worn many hats for the New England Revolution. On the pitch, he’s a defender, the longest-tenured player in club history, and an energetic hype man. Off the pitch, he’s a humanitarian, a coach, a friend to all, and a Pokémon enthusiast – though it’s hard to confine Farrell’s impact to mere labels.
This season marks Farrell’s 13th with the club since being drafted first overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, and in that time, he has solidified himself as a fixture of New England sports. While he has made waves on the pitch, what has truly set him apart is how he has engaged with the community beyond the field. A three-time Revolution Humanitarian of the Year, Farrell has championed causes like Special Olympics and the Jessie Rees Foundation with unwavering dedication.
Farrell’s newest title ensures his legacy at the Revolution lives on through future generations. Last offseason he re-signed with the Revs in a dual role, maintaining his on-field responsibilities while adding “coach” to his list of attributes. The 33-year-old has been working as an assistant coach in the Revolution Academy, passing on his wisdom to the future of the club where he’s spent his entire professional career.
“I've always wanted to get into coaching when I was done, and the club has this awesome opportunity to be able to be involved with the next crop of kids coming up, and they're like actually insane,” Farrell explained. “The talent we have in our academy is crazy, and it’s been so fun to be around. They are all fans of the team, so I feel I can be kind of a big brother to them in a way. It’s a cool relationship to have.”
Farrell’s role focuses mainly on individual development, taking small groups of players to hone specific skills like crossing, finishing, or passing. While he was originally drawn to coaching to stay close to the sport, the root of his interest stems from something deeper.
“I’ve always wanted to be around the game, but to be able to help someone who is even more talented than I was at their age is amazing. Seeing kids from our academy make it to the next level, or guys I played with who are going overseas and playing, it’s really rewarding to see something I said to them help them out,” Farrell said. “To see I have an impact on people’s lives, whether it’s small or not, it’s still a really rewarding experience.”
His transition into coaching has been about much more than tactics and techniques – it’s about mentorship, empathy, and giving back. Farrell’s approach is rooted in opportunity and equipping players with the tools they need to thrive.
“It was always my dream to play professionally, and I’ve been able to live out that dream. So, now to hopefully help the next crop of kids through this, with the team that gave me a chance to fulfill my dream, it feels like giving back to the club,” Farrell said. “I want to see the next group of people succeed and help everyone, pull everyone up. If you can pull one person up, then they can come back and pull the next person up and we can all help each other grow.”
Lifting people up seems to be Farrell’s specialty. While he hasn’t seen many minutes on the pitch this season, his role within the team has been as important as ever, especially as the team has faced tough stretches.
Throughout the year, head coach Caleb Porter and Farrell’s teammates have had nothing but praise for the veteran defender. Often described as one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, Farrell has been the constant glue, good vibes, and leadership in the Revolution locker room.
“The minutes, it’s just how things are sometimes, and it can be tough, because you may not feel like you’re making an impact on the team. Maybe it’s not the same, but you can have an impact in so many ways beyond just on the field,” he said. “With young guys going through tough times, or when we aren’t getting good results, I cheer them up or offer them a place to talk. For other guys, it’s about pushing them and asking for more out of them.
“Whatever the coaches, players, staff need, I will fill in and try to help as much as I can. A lot of people see impact made on the field, but there’s a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes, too. I just want to help out as much as possible and keep the vibes high.”
Whether it’s mentoring academy youngsters, uplifting teammates during hard times, or simply being the steady presence others can lean on, Farrell continues to shape the Revolution in ways that go far beyond matchday. His legacy may have begun on the pitch, but it’s been built in the locker room, on the training ground, and carried by everyone he has influenced along the way.
“I’ve been here 13 years, so I’ve seen the highs and the lows. If you can stay consistent and keep the mood high, people perform better,” he said. “That’s what I try to do. Be happy. Enjoy life. Work hard. There’s so much that’s out of your control, but we can control our energy and our mood. If you can do that, usually things will all work out.”
