The New England Revolution were among the MLS teams bidding for Lalas, who was preparing to play in Copa America for the U.S. and for the 1995-96 Serie A season with Padova. The Revolution already had defender Mike Burns lined up for the league’s inaugural season in 1996, after Burns became the second U.S. national team player (following Tab Ramos) to sign with MLS.
[Read more…] about June 25, 1995 – Alexi Lalas signs MLS contract
After Foxboro Stadium was evacuated and kickoff delayed 72 minutes, Dallas took the lead as Jason Kreis assisted future New England Revolution midfielder Damian Alvarez (19th minute), then scored in the 27th minute. Alejandro “Colorado” Farias cut the deficit with a 29th-minute header and Alexi Lalas equalized with a 65th-minute header from Imad Baba. [Read more…] about June 22, 1997 – Revolution 2:2 (2:1 shootout) Dallas Burn. Hour-plus lightning delay (Att.: 15,819)
This was also the first U.S. win over England since Joe Gaetjens’ goal provided a 1-0 result in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. “Now we don’t have to talk about 1950 anymore,” U.S. Soccer Federation general secretary Hank Steinbrecher said.
The kickoff was delayed seven minutes because of a lightning storm that also likely reduced the side of the crowd. My story in the Boston Globe noted the weather presented a greater threat to public safety than potential hooligan behavior, which was a major concern in anticipation of the 1994 World Cup. [Read more…] about June 9, 1993 – U.S. 2:0 England, U.S. Cup at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 37,236). First U.S. victory in Foxborough
Clint Dempsey went on to score a goal for the USMNT in the 2006 World Cup and went on to captain the team and total 56 goals in 132 international appearances.
Dempsey, who was playing his third season with the Revolution, continued a streak of New England-based players on U.S. World Cup teams extending to 1998 (Alexi Lalas, Joe-Max Moore) and 2002 (Carlos Llamosa). Four Revolution players were named to a reserve list: Pat Noonan; Steve Ralston, who had converted the goal to clinch a U.S. place in the World Cup finals; goalkeeper Matt Reis; and Taylor Twellman. Chris Aduama photo
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
New England Revolution investor/operator Jonathan Kraft said the team had released additional tickets for the Saturday, April 27 visit from D.C. United. On April 20, the Revolution registered their first victory (1-0 over the New York/New Jersey MetroStars at Giants Stadium). Earlier in the month, the 22,000 initial capacity at Foxboro Stadium had been sold out. [Read more…] about April 21, 1996 – New England Revolution prepare for inaugural MLS home game
Carlos Hermosillo blocked a Kasey Keller attempted clearance into the net 38 seconds into the game, fastest goal in Foxboro Stadium history. Then, dos a dos was considered a very positive result for the U.S. national team, but the most significant figure associated with this match was the crowd total: 57,407 (more than 17,000 more than the previous high for a U.S. home World Cup Qualifier).
Mexico coach Bora Milutinovic took credit for encouraging Hermosillo to pressure Keller on clearances, the strategy paying off as the “early goal silenced the crowd of 57,407.” Milutinovic wore a Soccer America magazine scarf honoring him as the best U.S. national team coach in the last 25 years. The U.S. scored as Eddie Pope headed in a free kick (35th minute), the Luis Hernandez chipped Keller (54th), and Nicolas Ramirez surrendered an own goal by heading an Earnie Stewart cross (74th). Hernandez earned a late caution for tripping the New England Revolution’s Alexi Lalas.
Foxborough used to be the go-to site for the USMNT, which went unbeaten (7-0-3) at Foxboro Stadium from 1991-2001. The USMNT has a combined 5-0-1 record in World Cup Qualifiers at Foxboro/Gillette.
U.S. 2:2 Mexico, First WCQ at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 57,407).
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
Tampa Bay Mutiny 3:2 Revolution at Tampa Stadium (Att.: 26,473)
Rob Ukrop gave the Revolution a 20th-minute lead, finishing a Welton cross, Alexi Lalas starting the sequence from central defense. The Mutiny scored on three set pieces, Revolution defender Mike Burns disputing the foul that led to the third goal, saying “the referee (Zimmerman Boulos) knows he made a mistake.” Roy Lassiter’s 25th-minute goal tied the score, the first of his 27 for the season, which remains an MLS record. Ivan McKinley, who would play for the Revolution from 1997-2000, broke the deadlock early in the second half, and U.S. national team defender Steve Pittman converted off a Carlos Valderrama assist for a 3-1 lead, before Ukrop cut the deficit in the 70th minute. Ukrop would not score another goal for the Revolution, and was waived after playing nine games as the team set up roster space for acquiring Joe-Max Moore. [Read more…] about April 13, 1996 – New England Revolution’s first game
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
Today in New England Soccer History.
Jan. 4, 1996 – Frank Stapleton named Revolution’s first coach.
The Revolution were the last MLS team to choose a coach before the inaugural season. And Stapleton was their final interview, after Osvaldo Ardiles and Brian Quinn. Ardiles had an opportunity in Japan, so would not have come cheaply. [Read more…] about Jan. 4, 1996 – Frank Stapleton named Revolution’s first coach