FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Few clubs outside England land the chance to test their wits against storied English side Manchester United.
The New England Revolution will join that exlusive list in July after United announced on Tuesday that it would tour the United States for a second consecutive summer at a press conference in Harrison, N.J.
By securing a summer friendly against one of the world's largest clubs, the Revolution has ensured it will face a rare and stiff test against the current English Premier League leaders.
“Right now, I can't even imagine it,” Revolution forward Zack Schilawski told MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday. “It's going to be an amazing opportunity for the guys that get to play. I'm sure it'll be a packed house. Playing against one of – if not the – best clubs in the world, I can't wait.”
In addition to serving as a mini-reunion for two members of the Scotland setup – manager Six Alex Ferguson and then-fullback Steve Nicol – from the 1986 World Cup, the match should also provide a motivational tool for the Revs as they continue through the regular season campaign.
[inline_node:332457]
“It's an opportunity for our players to play against some of the best in the world,” said Revolution assistant coach Stephen Myles, who coached for nearly a decade in the Sheffield United ranks. “Hopefully, some of our players will look at some of those players and strive to achieve the sort of level that they are at.”
While the event will undoubtedly entertain the scores of fans expected to cram into Gillette Stadium for the match, the buildup to the match – and the friendly itself – will also serve as a bit of a learning experience.
By closely monitoring how the United players comport themselves during their trip to Massachusetts and perform while they are on the field, the younger Revolution players can construct a model to follow for their own professional careers, according to Myles.
“If any young player here doesn't relish that opportunity and take on board how those players conduct themselves, how they work on the field and what they do, then they're missing a fantastic opportunity,” Myles said.
