The Preseason Cometh

Midfielder/forward Ryan Kinne will be one of many players hoping to make a postive impression with first year head coach Jay Heaps next month (Photo: Chris Aduama/aduama.com)

The Revolution will kick off their preseason earlier than ever when they open the doors to the Dana Farber Fieldhouse on Jan. 16 for seven weeks of training leading up to First Kick, which set for the weekend of Mar. 10.

Traditionally, the Revs have reported back to Foxboro in early-February. But with new head coach Jay Heaps anxious to get his players back on the pitch, along with the earliest First Kick weekend in league history, it appears that the mid-January reporting date will be crucial to get the team ready for the 2012 season.

“Preseason training is crucial to get prepared for the upcoming season,” Heaps said in a statement. “The strides we make in January and February will write the blueprint for the season. We plan to use the time to establish our style of play on a tactical level, with an emphasis on strength and conditioning.”

In addition to getting the team into mid-season shape, the Revolution is scheduled for two preseason trips to Arizona. The first will run from Jan. 22 through Jan. 30 in Casa Grande, where the team will not only be able to escape the harsh New England climes and train outdoors, but will also get the opportunity to compete against other teams.

“The first trip will be all about us, the Revolution,” Heaps said. “We’ll be training and playing at excellent facilities in Casa Grande, and will be a bit removed from distractions. The trip will be about getting to know each other, especially our new players, training hard, and creating the team’s identity.”

Although the schedule of games and opponents has not yet been set for the first trip, the second trip to the Copper State will be brimming with fierce competition. For the FC Tuscon Desert Diamond Cup – a preseason tournament scheduled for Feb. 22 through Mar. 3 in Tucson -the Revs will be pitted against MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy, CONCACAF Champions League Finalist Real Salt Lake and the stocked roster of the New York Red Bulls.

“We believe the Desert Diamond Cup will be the premier preseason tournament this year,” Heaps said. “We’re looking forward to facing the Galaxy, Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake, which will be a tremendous final preparation for us just before we start the MLS season in early March.”

Upon returning to the area on Mar. 4, the Revs will have one week to prepare for their first match of the season, which will take place the following weekend. The date and opponent for their First Kick match has not yet been announced.

Here’s a rundown of what the Revs preseason will look like:

Sunday, Jan. 15
Training camp opens

Monday, Jan. 16
Entrance physicals and conditioning testing at Dana Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

Tuesday, Jan. 17 through Friday, Jan. 20
Indoor training at Dana Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

Saturday, Jan. 21
Depart for Casa Grande, Ariz.

Sunday, Jan. 22 through Monday, Jan. 30
Training at Grande Sports World (Casa Grande, Ariz.)
(Training and game schedules to be finalized)

Tuesday, Jan. 31
Return to Boston

Wednesday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, Feb. 19
Indoor training at Dana Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
(Training schedule to be finalized)

Monday, Feb. 20
Depart for Tucson, Ariz.

Tuesday, Feb. 21 through Saturday, March 3
Training at Kino Sports Complex (Tucson, Ariz.)
(Training schedule to be finalized)

FC Tuscon Desert Diamond Cup:
Wednesday, Feb. 22: vs. LA Galaxy, 8 p.m. ET (Kino Veteran Stadium)
Saturday, Feb. 25: vs. New York Red Bulls, 10 p.m. ET (Kino Veteran Stadium)
Wednesday, Feb. 29: vs. Real Salt Lake, 8 p.m. ET (Kino Veteran Stadium)
Saturday, March 3: Championship and Consolation matches, 8 p.m. / 10 p.m. ET (Kino Veteran Stadium)

Sunday, March 4
Return to Boston