FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – If it seems like Kelyn Rowe is too young to be hitting career milestones – like he did when he made his 100th regular-season appearance last Friday against Orlando City SC – it’s because he sort of is too young to be hitting career milestones. I mean, he was born in the 90s.
Even Rowe – just 23 years old – was a bit surprised to learn he’d reached triple digits this quickly.
“It kind of crept up on me,” he admitted. “But it’s nice to be here for that long.”
In truth, Rowe hasn’t been with the Revolution that long; it’s been just three-and-a-half years since he became the first player drafted by Jay Heaps in 2012. But Rowe has made the most of his time as a pro, averaging 30 appearances a season from 2012 to 2014 before appearing in the first 10 games of 2015.
In that time Rowe has racked up 18 goals and 20 assists – including his third goal of the current season in that milestone appearance against Orlando – and has been a key cog in New England’s attack.
“Kelyn shows you he’s pretty vital in terms of what we do,” said Heaps. “Kelyn is one of the most talented players I’ve seen. I love working with him. He’s got a great attitude and an uncanny ability to score goals. He really is a midfielder that can score goals.”
Goals have always been part of Rowe’s repertoire – he scored in just his fourth career appearance against the LA Galaxy back in March 2012 – but he’s the first to admit that he’s a different player than the baby-faced college sophomore who joined the Revs three years ago.
He’s still baby-faced (sorry, Kelyn), but Rowe has shaped himself into a more consistent performer, using each and every experience from his first 100 appearances to form a more complete player.
“I think it’s been a big improvement,” Rowe said. “There are always ups and downs, but I think as the years go by, there’s been a lot more ups than downs and I think I’m more steady.”
Rowe has been remarkably steady this season, never going more than three appearances without registering at least one goal or one assist. His three goals and two assists are both second on the Revs, and he’s contributed with either a goal or an assist in both of his substitute appearances.
Even with all the progress he’s made through his first 100 appearances, Rowe knows there are still many more lessons to be learned. And that will never change, regardless of how long he’s been in the league.
“I’m never going to stop learning,” Rowe said. “There’s always going to be someone who can teach me something, whether it be young or old.
“It’s been three-and-a-half years. I don’t have that much experience and I’m still learning every day. I think that’s what allowed me to play so many games throughout the years. I’m able to learn and keep progressing.”
