Revs get ready for their 18th season

FOXBORO, Mass. (WPRI) -- Football season may be over, but there's still a lot of action going on at Gillette Stadium. The New England Revolution is gearing up for their 2013 season and a few of the players are telling fans what they can expect to see.

Before you see them play in the stadium, the Revs tear it up on the practice field.

"You see the games and you watch them play on the weekends, but you don't realize all the work that goes into it,” said midfielder Chris Tierney.

The New England Revolution is about to start their 18th season.

"We outwork, we out-think, out-prepare, and that will lead us to outplay, and that's our motto as a team,” said Head Coach Jay Heaps.

The motto is already instilled in their 11 new players.

“It’s definitely something I’ve never experienced before, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to be here,” said goalie and first-year player, Luis Soffner.

Some players are lucky enough to be living out their childhood dreams.

"It's kind of cool to see them, to now me be on the field, helping the team I grew up watching," said Scott Caldwell, a midfielder from Braintree, Mass.

Tierney, also from Massachusetts, added “I grew up supporting this team and I’ve always wanted to play here, and my goal was to come here."

Other first-year players are ready to make a name for themselves.

"Immediately the guys accepted me and I feel part of the group, Bilal Duckett said. "It's been a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to what the season has to offer."

Success on the field stems from relationships off the field.

"It's crucial, especially a year like this when we have so many new faces, just to get everybody together and to find that cohesiveness really helps a team out as a whole,” said veteran player Kevin Alston.

But even after years with the Revs, the nerves are still there.

"I think that's the reason why you still do it. You get those butterflies and you get excited,” said goalie Matt Reis.

The team is constantly looking to improve.

“I've learned where I help the team and what I need to improve in terms of being a leader and being more vocal,” Alston said.

The vets also had some advice share advice with the newcomers.

“The basic thing is for the first little bit is keep your head down and do the work, just try and get in and jump right in," said Reis. "Do all the work that we ask you, and then let your personality show while you're doing that.”

"You've just got to tell them ‘we've all been in their shoes before and we know what they're going through’, at times when maybe it's not going their way, they’ve got to stay positive," added Alston.

The New England Revolution kick off their season in Chicago, but their home opener is Saturday, March 23 at 4 p.m. The Revs schedule, ticket information and more can be found on their website.