New England sports fans know their beards. Between the Bruins playoff beards, the Patriots offensive line, and of course the 2013 World Series champion Red Sox, sports facial hair has acquired a lot of happy memories during the last decade. For that reason, it’s probably a good sign that New England’s lesser known (though no less talented) pro sports team is primed to produce the next great beard.

Andrew Farrell, the number one overall pick last year by the New England Revolution, announced recently that he will not shave until he scores his first career MLS goal. It’s a fairly bold move from a defender, though Farrell’s athleticism allows him to surge forward into attacks more easily than most.

Since he’s already been growing out the beard for a month, and still has more than another month to go before the season starts (the Revs’ first game is March 8th in Houston), the beard will most likely be at near-Napoli status before the 21-year-old talent even has a chance to net himself a goal.

The Revs are no guarantee to thrive this year (in the amazingly even MLS, nothing is guaranteed), but they do seem ready for a quality campaign. Stocked with several years worth of high draft picks, and the first fruits of their still-new academy (like Diego Fagundez), New England could see one or two golazos this season. Hopefully, Farrell adds to that list.

Image via @2Fast2Farrell