Prematch Reading (April 8) | Top stories ahead of Saturday night's showdown with CF Montréal

4_8_23 Brandon Bye and Justin Rennicks CF Montreal

Here is a sampling of local coverage from the past week to help set the stage for tonight’s Matchday 7 contest with CF Montreal – 7:30 p.m. at Gillette Stadium. Tickets and Season Memberships are on sale now. Watch the match live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app or listen on 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2 and 1260 AM Nossa Radio in Portuguese. The 98.5 The Sports Hub radio call with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies can also be selected as an audio feed on MLS Season Pass.

Montreal has only managed three points in its first five matches of the 2023 season, but as Bruce Arena told the Zolak & Bertrand crew on Thursday, no opponent in MLS can be overlooked. Three of the Revolution’s four wins this year have come by one-goal margins, and despite the early-season disparity on the table between the two sides, fans should expect another tough battle on Saturday. 

The Boston Herald’s Rich Thompson shines the spotlight on fourth-year center back Henry Kessler, who has once established himself as a mainstay in the Revolution’s backline. This year, Kessler is delivering results with a new regular partner in central defense alongside newcomer Dave Romney. The duo have played every minute of the young season thus far. 

Brad Knighton, now head coach of the Revolution Academy’s Under-17 team, checked in with DJ Bean from the GA Cup tournament in Florida to share his firsthand perspective on the rising tide of young talent across MLS, and especially in New England. Listen to the full episode of The Soccer Show featuring interviews with both Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies.