FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – May 6 was a special day for everyone at the New England Revolution. The date marked the 12th annual Unified Team Signing Day in partnership with Special Olympics Massachusetts and the Arbella Insurance Group, as 19 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners signed with the 2026 Revolution Unified squad.
“It was probably one of the greatest days of my life – besides tryouts,” said Special Olympics athlete Liam Wise. “I’m happy the team is back and I can’t wait for the season.”
Wise, a veteran of the program, joined his teammates in signing contracts, participating in media like first-team players, and soaking in the cheers of friends and family. They were also welcomed by Revolution sporting director Curt Onalfo, head coach Marko Mitrović, and several Revolution players who gave them some inspiration ahead of their upcoming season.
“It’s a special day to celebrate the athletes going to tryouts, working hard, making the team, and just being on a team. There are core values we talked about, Marko talked about, Curt talked about – be brave, be courageous, be honest, be hardworking, but I also think the most important thing for me in sports and in life is to have fun,” said defender Andrew Farrell, who has worked with the Unified Team since its inception. “Inclusivity is so important and I think the club does a great job at doing that with the partnership with Special Olympics Massachusetts.”
The Unified Team is led by coach Deb Godbout, who has been involved with the program since the beginning, but is entering her fifth year as head coach. Her impact on the athletes has been unmistakable.
“We are really lucky to have Coach Deb as our coach. She makes a huge impact on us, not just on the field, but also off. She teaches us so many things, how to be great people, and just impacts our lives so greatly and deeply,” said Unified partner Alyson Green, who signed for her third season the team.
Like both Green and Wise, many athletes are inspired to return year after year, but a spot isn’t always guaranteed. Every Unified Team player must earn their place at tryouts. For Wise, the experience goes far beyond competition or stepping onto the field at Gillette Stadium.
“It’s special to me because we get to travel and meet new people from different states and countries, but the friendships are definitely my favorite part,” he said.
The Revolution Unified Team will play two games this season, as they prepare to put the power of inclusivity on full display. The squad will kick off its 2026 campaign at Gillette Stadium on July 22 against Toronto FC’s Unified Team, before going international and taking them on in Canada on August 15.
Signing day doesn’t just mark the start of a new Unified season, it also represents another year of growth in the Revolution’s partnership with Special Olympics Massachusetts, as they work together to make sports more accessible to people of all abilities.
“There’s that phrase out there, ‘if you can see it, you can be it,’ and I think what this program delivers is an opportunity to see it, and seeing someone like you playing on the field at Gillette Stadium gives you the confidence that you might be able to be there someday,” explained Charles Hirsch, Assistant Vice President of Development, Brand and Marketing for Special Olympics Massachusetts. “Maybe it’s not Gillette Stadium, but it’s your high school team or local club team that you didn’t think you could participate in.
“Having the first-team players be part of this just falls right in with the values that the Revolution hold their players and staff to. Having it be the first team, second team, Academy, and the Unified Team and talking about them all in the same breath – it just elevates the visibility.”
For fans looking to uplift the message of Unified sports, staying after the first-team match on July 22 to cheer on the Unified athletes is a meaningful place to start. Just as much as visibility matters, even one person in the stands cheering them on can go a long way. In the Revolution family, it’s all one team. A Revs fan is a Unified fan.
“The Unified Team is part of our family and we support them. They support us,” Farrell said. “It's a great thing, a beautiful thing, and when everyone's supporting each other, big and important things can happen.”
