Clint Dempsey’s goal made the difference as the U.S. went on to win Group A. Dempsey captured the Gold Cup Golden Boot (seven goals) and the U.S. finished in fourth place. [Read more…] about July 10, 2015 – U.S. 1:0 Haiti/Honduras 1:1 Panama, Gillette Stadium Gold Cup record crowd (46,720)
This was the New England Revolution’s third appearance in the CONCACAF event, and could have been their best chance to advance. The Revolution surrendered the home leg in its first two Champions Cup appearances, against LD Alajuelense in 2003 and ’06, due mostly to weather concerns, as the first round matches were scheduled in March. With the away goals rule in effect, the Revolution attained what could be considered their best first leg result in the competition, falling, 2-1, to Joe Public in Macoya, Trinidad, on Aug. 26, 2008. [Read more…] about Sept. 2, 2008 – Revolution 0:4 Joe Public FC, Revolution’s first CCL home match (Att.: 3,523)
After falling, 4-0, to LD Alajuelense in the first leg at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto March 23, the Revolution became the “visiting” team three days later. Jay Heaps had been red-carded in the first leg, and was replaced at right back by Shalrie Joseph, making his Revolution debut. Taylor Twellman’s 18th-minute penalty kick got the Revolution started, Wolde Harris (53rd) and Pat Noonan (55th) cutting the aggregate deficit to 4-3. Alajuelense had altered the starting lineup, and likely entered the match overconfident, but made a key substitution as leading scorer Rolando Fonseca replaced Carlos Hernandez in the 52nd minute. Alajuelense earned a penalty kick on a Joseph 63rd-minute foul, Joseph and Daniel Hernandez (dissent) ejected during the sequence. Fonseca converted the penalty kick in the 65th minute and Alajuelense, playing with a two-man advantage, held on for a 5-3 aggregate victory.
The Revolution had virtually conceded the series by giving up home field advantage, but appeared to be on the verge of an upset before Salvadoran referee Rodolfo Sibrian’s call leading to Fonseca’s penalty kick. La Nacion assigned “7s” to both Guatemala’s Carlos Batres in the opening leg and Sibrian, who attended Boston College, in the return leg in the ratings.
Alajuelense’s squad included several Costa Rican national team members, including goalkeeper Alvaro Mesen and defender Luis Marin, who did not play in the second game; plus Alejandro Alpizar (who scored a 92nd-minute goal in the first leg), Steven Bryce, ex-LA Galaxy defender Pablo Chinchilla, Wilmer Lopez, ex-Columbus Crew forward Erick Scott, Fonseca and Hernandez. La Nacion’s highest-rated players were Fonseca and Harris, both receiving “8s” in the return leg. Chris Aduama photo
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
In 22 years of existence, the Revolution have won five season-openers – one since Kheli Dube’s goal made the difference in a 1-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2009 opener. Dube totaled 19 goals in 91 matches in all competitions for the Revolution. Dube played for the Revolution from 2008-11 and was on the squad during the ’08 CONCACAF Champions Cup, but did not participate in the team’s two-game campaign. Dube did compete in the African Champions Cup as a member of the Zimbabwe club Highlanders FC of Bulawayo. Dube’s experience (combination of international and collegiate), plus his timing and finishing ability made him an effective player in MLS. Dube was prolific both at home, totaling 11 goals at Gillette Stadium (tied with Landon Donovan for 12th on the all-time list), and away. [Read more…] about March 21, 2009 – Kheli Dube’s 55th-minute goal gives Revolution season-opening win. Origins of MLS ‘live streaming,’ YouTube replay
This was the second time in four years the Revolution had been eliminated by Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Carlos “Zorro” Hernandez’ 90th-minute free kick made the difference after the teams had played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg Feb. 22, 2006 in Hamilton, Bermuda. The first game was a “home” match for the Revolution, and playing at Bermuda’s national stadium seemed like a better strategy than the team had settled for three years earlier, both games being contested at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela. [Read more…] about March 8, 2006 – Alajuelense 1×0 Revolution
This was considered the home leg of the CONCACAF Champions League matchup for the New England Revolution, and several hundred supporters made the trip to Hamilton for the game, plus a chance to witness training sessions. The featured players were the Revolution’s Clint Dempsey and Alajuelense’s Bryan Ruiz, who would go on to become teammates at Fulham FC, attracting significant transfer fees along the way. [Read more…] about Feb. 22, 2006 – Revolution, Alajuelense draw in Bermuda