Aug. 18, 2002 – First game at (renamed) Gillette Stadium
Post by frankdellapa@gmail.com
CMGI Field opened with a New England Revolution 2-0 win over Dallas, Taylor Twellman scoring both goals, on May 11, 2002. Gillette took over naming rights from College Marketing Group Information, an internet venture company, in early August.
Aug. 18, 2002 – Revolution 0:2 Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 15,336)
The Revolution’s playoff hopes were on the verge of being ended after this defeat, but the team made an improbable run to qualify for the playoffs, then advance to the 2002 MLS Cup final.
The Revolution lost their third successive home match (they were 4W-7L-0D at home while the stadium was named for CMGI) as Ante Razov’s 31st-minute goal opened the scoring. Revolution midfielder Winston Griffith’s shot was cleared off the line by Dema Kovalenko in first half injury time and Jay Heaps hit the post after Zach Thornton had deflected Leo Cullen’s shot early in the second half. Revolution substitute Brian Kamler was red-carded in the 81st minute and Cullen surrendered an 85th-minute own goal on a sliding attempt to stop a DaMarcus Beasley shot.
“Now, we have to win every game and hope some other teams lose,” Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston said after the game. “It’s better to have your fate in your own hands, but that’s how it is.”
The result left the Revolution (7W-14L-1D, 22 points) seven points behind the MetroStars with six matches remaining for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The Revolution then took a 2-1 win over the Fire in Naperville, Ill., on Aug. 24, 2002, igniting a six-match (5-0-1) unbeaten streak that included three wins in three games at Gillette. The Revolution finished in first place in the Eastern Conference, then advanced to a 1-0 extra time loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy before a 61,316 crowd in the MLS Cup final at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 20, 2002.
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY