FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The 11th season of Unified Soccer kicked off the on-field action on June 28 at Gillette Stadium, following a historic Revolution comeback against the Colorado Rapids. Shortly after the first team rallied to a 3-3 draw, the spotlight shifted to the Revolution Unified Team, who faced off against Colorado’s Unified squad in front of a boisterous crowd, riding the momentum of an exciting night. Though the match ended in a hard-fought 3-1 loss for the Revs, the game was filled with action and determination, highlighting the power of Unified Sports.
Built in partnership with Special Olympics Massachusetts and the Arbella Insurance Group, the Revolution Unified roster features 19 athletes and Unified partners, selected through tryouts led by Revolution Academy coaches and supported by first team players.
“We had more players than ever trying out on the partner side and the athlete side. We actually had to make cuts on both,” explained Revolution Unified head coach Deb Godbout. “We want to make sure everyone, whatever their ability, is involved, developing, and being challenged. At the end of the day, they are athletes, and they are soccer players, so we want to provide an environment for them that’s professional, so that they can have fun, have friends and feel included, but simply keep developing as soccer players.”
The competition was intense against the Colorado Unified side, who held a three-goal lead until the final minutes of the match. Just as the first team had done before the Unified Team took the pitch, they refused to be discouraged by the scoreline. In a moment of resolve, the Revolution found a goal, seconds before the final whistle. It was a moment of teamwork, which lit up the stands and left everyone with a sense of pride – regardless of the final score.
For Sofia Teixeira, a veteran of the Unified squad, results are secondary to the moments she gets to spend with her teammates on the field at Gillette Stadium.
“It felt amazing just being back out there on the field with my team. Even the new players were trying their hardest and giving their hearts out there,” she said. “Even though we lost, we tried our hardest and we came back with one goal there at the end, which was amazing.”
Teixeira and the Revolution Unified Team have no bigger fan than Revs defender Andrew Farrell, who has been supporting the Unified athletes and Special Olympics Massachusetts for a decade. As Unified Sports continue to grow, it has not gone unnoticed by the first team.
“It’s been great to see how many different kids, helpers, and Special Olympics athletes have come out. To see the diversity, and so many different faces every year, that’s really cool. It’s very welcoming and there are so many new faces this year compared to last year, and to see how quickly they have integrated into the team has been great,” said Farrell.
The Unified squad will close out the 2025 season with a road match in Charlotte, taking on Charlotte FC’s Unified Team on July 12. For fans who want to stay involved with the team, the Revolution will be hosting their annual Bowl for a Goal, benefiting Special Olympics Massachusetts and hosted in partnership with Arbella Insurance, on July 30 from 6–9 p.m. at Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Patriot Place. General admission tickets are just $25.
While this season’s Unified action is winding down, fans are encouraged to keep the momentum going into next year by filling the stands in 2026, to witness even more incredible Revolution athletes take the pitch in the spirit of unity, inclusion, and community.
“Seeing the fans out there and how many people stuck around, honestly made me feel like I could try as hard as I could,” said Teixeira. “For fans, just being out here and supporting the team would be amazing. They have really touched our hearts. It means the world to us.”
