Kelyn Rowe started 167 of 214 MLS appearances for the New England Revolution (including postseason) after joining as the third overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. He recorded 30 goals and 42 assists in seven seasons for New England before joining Sporting KC ahead of the 2019 campaign.
2019: MLS regular season: Has started seven of 14 appearances and recorded two assists (690 minutes played). Earned his Sporting MLS debut in a 2-1 loss at LAFC on March 3. Assisted Krisztian Nemeth's first goal in a 4-4 draw against his former club, the New England Revolution, on April 27. Assisted Johnny Russell's third goal and match winner in a 3-2 victory over Seattle Sounders FC on May 26. Concacaf Champions League: Started one of four appearances (110 minutes played). Featured in both wins over Deportivo Toluca FC in the Round of 16, making his debut for Sporting in a 3-0 first-leg win on Feb. 21 at Children's Mercy Park. Open Cup: Played 15 minutes as a second-half substitute in a Fourth Round loss to Minnesota. MLS Cup Playoffs: Has not featured.
MLS: Following a productive rookie year in which Rowe bagged three goals and five assists in 30 appearances, Rowe broke out in 2013 as the Revs reached the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in four attempts. Rowe notched eight goals and nine assists on the season – including a goal and an assist over two legs against Sporting KC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals that Kansas City won 4-3 on aggregate en route to winning MLS Cup.
Rowe followed up his 2013 form with another solid season in 2014, as his five goals and six assists helped propel New England to their first MLS Cup appearance since 2007 – though the Revs fell to the LA Galaxy 2-1 after extra time in the final at StubHub Center with Rowe playing all 120 minutes of the league’s showpiece event.
The Federal Way, Washington, native combined for 12 goals and 13 assists in 2015 and 2016, playing 33 of the side’s 34 MLS regular season games in each campaign, while also aiding the Revolution’s run to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final in 2016 that saw FC Dallas hoist the trophy at Toyota Park following a 4-2 victory as Rowe started and played the opening 69 minutes of the contest. He leaves New England as the club’s second highest all-time scorer in the U.S. Open Cup, tallying six goals.
International: Rowe’s consistent performances for the Revolution earned him his first look at the international level in 2017, when he was selected to the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup. Rowe made his national team debut on July 1, 2017 in a friendly against Ghana before appearing in two group stage games at the Gold Cup – recording an assist on the game-winner against Panama before netting his first international goal in the win versus Nicaragua. The U.S. would go on to win the 2017 Gold Cup with the help of current Sporting KC defenders Matt Besler and Graham Zusi. Rowe earned his fourth and most recent cap for the U.S. in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Jan. 29, 2018.
College: Rowe spent two years at UCLA, recording 13 goals and 20 assists while earning All-Conference honors in each season. He was named the Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year following a seven-goal, 10-assist season as a sophomore in 2011 as he helped UCLA reach the NCAA College Cup. During his first season at UCLA in 2010, Rowe was named the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and an NSCAA All-American.
Community: In addition to his on-field exploits, Rowe was an active member of the community in New England, earning the Revolution’s Humanitarian of the Year award four years running from 2014-2017. Rowe’s primary philanthropic work came through the Jessie Rees Foundation – an organization that helps children with cancer – by hosting his own initiative, “Kelyn’s NEGU Crew” (Never, Ever Give Up) at every Revolution home match, that aims to give each child a memorable experience as they continue to fight cancer. Rowe was named a 2016 MLS All-Star with the Jessie Rees Foundation for his contributions.
