Frank Dell'Apa

MLS

April 13, 1996 – New England Revolution’s first game

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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

April 9, 2005 – Revolution win home-opener, Deuce hops to it with a Cuauhtemiña

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After a 3-0 win over the Columbus Crew, my Boston Globe story noted: “Though it is too early to determine trends, the Revolution have shown they plan to perform at a different level than in the past. Even on the uneven surface [yes, they played on real grass in those days] at Gillette Stadium, the Revolution seemed comfortable in controlling the pace and keeping the ball in play, eventually wearing down the Crew.”

Clint Dempsey scored the first goal on a 64th-minute header off a Jay Heaps cross. In the first half, “Dempsey nearly hopped through two defenders but was ruled out of bounds by referee Terry Vaughn. It was a move inspired by Mexican forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who calls the move a ‘Cuauhtemiña.’ [Read more…] about April 9, 2005 – Revolution win home-opener, Deuce hops to it with a Cuauhtemiña

April 6, 2002 – Mamadou Diallo scores his only Revolution goal

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Diallo reveals a shirt sporting a U.S. flag and words “God Bless America” under his Revs’ jersey, winning over crowd after scoring for the first time since Sept. 11, 2001 strikes.

San Jose 2:1 Revolution at Spartan Stadium (Att.: 10,104) [Read more…] about April 6, 2002 – Mamadou Diallo scores his only Revolution goal

March 27, 2004 – New Orleans Shellshockers 2:6 Revolution at Tulane University

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The final game of the Revolution’s 2004 preseason campaign started badly. Jose “Pepe” Cancela and the Shellshockers’ Andrew Barron were red-carded by Bay State referee Erich Simmons following an 11th-minute altercation, and the Revolution fell behind, 1-0, after a 45th-minute penalty kick. Then, Carlos Llamosa sustained a season-ending knee injury late in the second half.

There was one major bright spot for the Revolution, though. Andy Dorman, a 79th-minute substitute for Clint Dempsey, scored in his first appearance, arriving late to camp after concluding studies at Boston University. Dorman went on to become a valuable addition to the Revolution midfield before departing on a free transfer to St. Mirren after the 2007 season. Chris Aduama photo

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 26, 2003 – Alajuelense 1:3 Revolution; 1st CONCACAF Champions Cup win

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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

March 25, 2007 – Revolution 3:1 Olimpia, Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans

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New Orleans was still recovering, less than two years post-Hurricane Katrina, and this preseason game between the Revolution and CD Olimpia turned out to be unique among the sporting events related to the city’s rebuilding. Adam Cristman scored two goals, Andy Dorman one, for the Revolution (Argentinian Jose Pacini converted for Olimpia) before a predominantly Honduran 8,947 crowd that included Mayor Ray Nagin. Brad Knighton’s performance in goal also helped establish his status as a high-level backup.

The Revolution’s visit involved several New England connections. The trip was set up by New Orleans Shellshockers coach Kenny Farrell, a former Salem State star. The Revolution had conducted preseason training in New Orleans in 2004, and the venture had concluded with Carlos Llamosa’s season-ending knee injury on the turf at Tulane University in a game that included a 10th-minute ejection of Jose Cancela. After that experience, the Revolution were inclined to avoid New Orleans, but Farrell persuaded Steve Nicol to return, partly because Farrell pitched him on involving the Revolution in the city’s rehabilitation. Nicol was also convinced by the refurbishing of the soccer field at Tad Gormley Stadium, via a donation from the New Orleans’ Saints’ Reggie Bush (in ’04, most of the fields the Revolution trained on were poor quality). [Read more…] about March 25, 2007 – Revolution 3:1 Olimpia, Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans

March 24, 2012 – Saer Sene scores 2nd fastest goal at Gillette (28 seconds). Revolution 1:0 Portland Timbers

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The New England Revolution have not scored a goal in a home-opener since Saer Sene’s decider against the Portland Timbers March 24, 2012, a 449-minute scoreless streak. The Revolution defense has gone that streak one better, though, compiling a 450-minute home-opener shutout streak. Going into Saturday’s game against Minnesota United, the Revolution have compiled a 10-game (6-0-4) unbeaten streak in home-openers since 2006. Sene’s goal was his first in MLS and also the first Revolution goal in Jay Heaps’ coaching tenure. Sene went on to total 11 goals, but the Revolution failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third successive season in 2012. [Read more…] about March 24, 2012 – Saer Sene scores 2nd fastest goal at Gillette (28 seconds). Revolution 1:0 Portland Timbers

March 23, 1992 – Boston/Foxborough named among 9 venues for 1994 World Cup

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Foxboro Stadium made a strong impression by attracting a 51,273 crowd for a U.S. v Ireland friendly (1-1) June 1, 1991, but the region was not considered an ideal venue by either FIFA or the U.S. Soccer Federation. But the Kraft family made a strong commitment to securing a bid, directing stadium manager Brian O’Donovan to make the World Cup a priority soon after purchasing the facility, and installing a grass field. FIFA proposed a 12-stadium World Cup, hoping to spread the event to an optimum number of venues, but ended up paring down, partly because some facilities were unavailable. Officials at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium could not accommodate the World Cup because of Major League Baseball scheduling conflicts (FIFA required a two-week-plus exclusive use minimum). Foxboro Stadium opened its doors to FIFA, and was able to attract six matches: four group games, plus a second-rounder and a quarterfinal. [Read more…] about March 23, 1992 – Boston/Foxborough named among 9 venues for 1994 World Cup

March 21, 2009 – Kheli Dube’s 55th-minute goal gives Revolution win in season-opener. Origins of MLS ‘live streaming,’ YouTube replay

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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 win in season-opener. Origins of MLS ‘live streaming,’ YouTube replay

March 21, 2009 – Kheli Dube’s 55th-minute goal gives Revolution season-opening win. Origins of MLS ‘live streaming,’ YouTube replay

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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