Frank Dell'Apa

frankdellapa@gmail.com

Feb. 4, 1998 – Revolution trade Alexi Lalas to MetroStars for draft pick

by

The Revolution were making bold moves in the 1998 preseason in an attempt to move on from an unsuccessful on-field start to their existence, including the trade of Alexi Lalas. Though the Revolution made a strong financial commitment to Lalas, the organization did not follow up effectively, as he was not favored by either of the team’s first two coaches, Frank Stapleton or Thomas Rongen.

I recall Lalas pushing for the Revolution to select Jason Kreis in the MLS inaugural draft in 1996, and realizing his frustration as the team passed by Kreis with four choices. Somewhere around that time, there were indications the Revolution were not going to be Lalas’ team, though they had built their marketing campaign, as well as the back line, around him. [Read more…] about Feb. 4, 1998 – Revolution trade Alexi Lalas to MetroStars for draft pick

Feb. 3, 1929 – New York Nationals win Lewis Cup

by

The Nationals and New Bedford Whalers were even, 4-4, on aggregate, so this was the deciding match, staged “before an enthusiastic crowd of 4,000 fans at Hawthorne Field in Brooklyn,” according to The Boston Globe account. The Nationals took a 4-2 victory, the Whalers squandering the advantage after a scoreless first half.

New Bedford was led by 40-year-old Sam Chedgzoy, a star at Everton and with the England national team, plus Jeremiah Best (formerly of Newcastle and Leeds United) and Scottish international Jimmy Howieson. The Whalers’ center half was Jimmy Montgomerie, who in late February would play in his 200th consecutive American Soccer League match (he totaled 303 career games). [Read more…] about Feb. 3, 1929 – New York Nationals win Lewis Cup

Feb. 2, 1997 – Revolution select Scott Coufal in 2nd round of MLS draft

by

The plan was for Scott Coufal to learn the trade from Walter Zenga, but after Zenga sustained a knee injury, Coufal became the Revolution’s starter. The timing was bad, as the Revolution were in a mid-season slump and would sustain a 10-game losing streak, recovering only after Zenga’s return. Coufal started in goal for three games of the streak, then the Revolution brought in Jeff Causey, who would go on to become a regular with the team through 2002, but could do little to prevent the losses from continuing.

Revolution coach Thomas Rongen had gambled with Coufal as Zenga’s backup. An alternative might have been Khalil Azmi, who had been Morocco’s starter in the 1994 World Cup and had remained in the Boston area, acquiring a green card. With Zenga in goal, the Revolution rallied to clinch their first MLS playoff berth. [Read more…] about Feb. 2, 1997 – Revolution select Scott Coufal in 2nd round of MLS draft

Feb. 1, 2016 – Revolution acquire Xavier Kouassi from FC Sion

by

 

With Jermaine Jones’ return in question, the Revolution went shopping for a replacement, and appeared to have found one in Switzerland with Xavier Kouassi. Rather than pay a transfer fee, the Revolution decided to allow Kouassi to play out his contract, finishing the Swiss Super League season with FC Sion. Six days later, though, Kouassi sustained a knee injury in a 1-0 win over FC Zurich. That left the Revolution scrambling to fill a defensive midfield hole, with Kouassi likely out for the season and Jones looking increasingly unlikely to accept a major salary reduction.

The Revolution acted quickly, acquiring Gershon Koffie from the Vancouver Whitecaps. A year later, Jones and Koffie are long gone, but Kouassi appears to have recovered from surgery. The defensive midfield role has been crucial for successful Revolution teams, from the days of Shalrie Joseph through Jones. Now, it is Kouassi’s turn. [Read more…] about Feb. 1, 2016 – Revolution acquire Xavier Kouassi from FC Sion

Jan. 31, 1998 – Revolution select Johnny Torres with No. 5 pick in MLS draft

by

 

Johnny Torres had a strong career with the Revolution, totaling eight goals in 88 appearances before being traded in 2001. Coach Thomas Rongen revamped the Revolution for the ’98 season, building the team around experienced players. Torres (now a Creighton University assistant coach) fit in well with the veterans. But a lack of chemistry proved costly as the Revolution failed to advance to the MLS playoffs.

The ’98 draft included other players who would go on to play important roles with the Revolution, including No. 1 pick Leo Cullen, who the Revolution would acquire from Miami in a trade for Torres in 2001. Also, there were Daniel Hernandez (second round), Joe Franchino and Matt Reis (third round). Several others went on to have success in direct confrontations with the Revolution: Tyrone Marshall (No. 9 pick), Wade Barrett (No. 10), Pablo Mastroeni (second round).

Below is my 2/1/1998 Globe story: [Read more…] about Jan. 31, 1998 – Revolution select Johnny Torres with No. 5 pick in MLS draft

Jan. 30, 2015 – Revolution acquire Agudelo on free transfer from Stoke City

by

The New England Revolution were hoping Juan Agudelo would provide the goal or goals to make the difference if they returned to a final. And Agudelo did just that, scoring twice against FC Dallas in the 2016 U.S. Open Cup. The Revolution had neglected to shore up the defense, though, and so were routed, 4-2, by FC Dallas.

Agudelo scored six goals in the final eight matches (all competitions) last season, also displaying impressive playmaking qualities. Agudelo has yet to fulfill his enormous potential. But his strong finish to the 2016 season, and callup to the U.S. national team, indicates this could be his time.

Below are excerpts of my story from the 2/10/15 editions of The Boston Globe: [Read more…] about Jan. 30, 2015 – Revolution acquire Agudelo on free transfer from Stoke City

Jan. 29, 2006 – Taylor Twellman hat trick, U.S. 5×0 Norway

by

Taylor Twellman seemed to be hitting his stride as an all-around striker under the guidance of Revolution assistant coach Paul Mariner, and he started the year strong. But Bruce Arena went with Brian Ching for the World Cup team, naming Twellman as an alternate.

There probably was not a better pure goal-scorer than Twellman in his generation. In his Revolution career, Twellman scored 101 regular-season goals in 174 games; 10 goals in 21 post-season games; seven in 10 U.S. Open Cup matches; plus one in five Champions Cup games. Twellman finished with six goals in 30 U.S. appearances.

We can’t know how many goals Twellman might have ended up with had he remained healthy, or how successful he would have been had the Revolution accepted a $3.5 million transfer offer from Preston North End in 2007. [Read more…] about Jan. 29, 2006 – Taylor Twellman hat trick, U.S. 5×0 Norway

Jan. 28, 1930 – Atlantic Coast Soccer League proposes all night games

by

Jan. 28, 1930 – After Atlantic Coast Soccer League meeting in New York, league announces it will change name to American Soccer League. Also, proposes scheduling game parallel to baseball season. “The battle against adverse weather conditions means financial suicide,” according to The Boston Globe story. All games to start at 8 p.m., made possible by “the installation of floodlight systems in all parks.” Dave Scott of Boston was named vice-president “to represent New England interests in the league”

TODAY IN NE SOCCER HISTORY

Jan. 27, 2005 – Joe-Max Moore announces retirement

by

The Revolution built their original team around defenders Mike Burns and Alexi Lalas for their first MLS season in 1996. But the Revolution did not have a proven scorer on the roster until Joe-Max came along midway through the first season, contributing 11 goals in 14 games. Moore struggled with injuries, but clearly believed the Revolution were building an MLS title-contending team when he returned for 2005 preseason. The site of the minicamp workout is not stated in my story (below) in 1/28/2005 editions of the Boston Globe, but I believe it was on the turf at the Gillette Bubble/Field House, which proved to be a risky surface for veteran players.

MOORE MAKES CALL: NO MORE

Revolution forward Joe-Max Moore, the team’s last remaining member from the inaugural 1996 MLS season, announced his retirement yesterday, less than two weeks after reinjuring the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during a minicamp scrimmage. [Read more…] about Jan. 27, 2005 – Joe-Max Moore announces retirement

Jan. 26, 1980 – Tea Men 3×14 Atlanta Chiefs

by

The New England Tea Men struggled to a 2-10 record during the North American Soccer League indoor season, playing home games at the Providence Civic Center before an average 3,249 attendances. In this match, David Byrne scored five goals and former Brown University star Fred Pereira added three. South African Pat Wasmuth and Billerica’s Peter Simonini faced 61 shots in goal for the Tea Men.

This would be the team’s final season in New England before moving to Jacksonville. Stadium dates were probably the Teas’ greatest obstacle to success. On Jan. 22, 1980, the Tea Men reached an agreement for home games to be played at Schaefer Stadium. But conflicts with the race track forced several games to be scheduled on Monday – meaning the team would often have Saturday-Monday dates for a week. Yet, their final two games drew 25,132 and 17,121 crowds five days apart in late August. The move south would not be announced until November.

TODAY IN NE SOCCER HISTORY