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Frank Dell'Apa

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MLS

Feb. 11, 2011 – Revolution acquire SS Lazio midfielder Ousmane Dabo

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Not many players in Revolution history displayed greater composure in midfield than Ousmane Dabo, though not enough people had a chance to see him demonstrate his ability in New England. When Dabo was 21, he was transferred from Rennes to Inter for 9 million euros. A 31-year-old Roberto Baggio (2.5m euros) and a 19-year-old Andrea Pirlo (2m euros) were among Inter’s midfield newcomers that year. Dabo became a valuable journeyman holding midfielder, learning the trade with several Serie A clubs, winning Coppa Italia twice, plus the 2003 Confederations Cup with France. Dabo also made a stop at Manchester City, where he played under Stuart Pearce and also absorbed a major cheap shot from teammate Joey Barton during a training session.

[Read more…] about Feb. 11, 2011 – Revolution acquire SS Lazio midfielder Ousmane Dabo

Feb. 10, 2002 – Revolution select Taylor Twellman No. 2, Shalrie Joseph in 2nd round of MLS SuperDraft

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Still difficult to fathom how Dallas could have passed up Twellman with the MLS’ first pick, though No. 1 pick Chris Gbandi (currently Northeastern’s head coach) always impressed me as an outside back. Revolution coach Fernando Clavijo needed only a few minutes to decide what he would do if Twellman was available, as described in excerpts of my story in the 1/12/2002 editions of the Boston Globe below.

Twellman went on to score 101 goals in 174 regular-season games, his .581 scoring rate best among MLS’ top 10 career scorers. Raul Diaz Arce is No. 2 on the Revolution scoring rate list (.556), Joe-Max Moore No. 3 (.459). Twellman converted another 10 goals in 21 playoff games and totaled 119 goals in 211 appearances in all competitions for the Revolution. [Read more…] about Feb. 10, 2002 – Revolution select Taylor Twellman No. 2, Shalrie Joseph in 2nd round of MLS SuperDraft

Feb. 8, 2000 – John Harkes reports to Revolution camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Former U.S. national team captain John Harkes played an important role as the New England Revolution compiled their first .500 record for an MLS regular season in 2000. But after the Revolution got off to a six-game losing streak in 2001, Harkes departed for Columbus. Harkes finished with two goals in 55 appearances for the Revolution.

The Revolution team that began the 2000 season included several players who went on to become coaches, Leonel Alvarez (Colombia) and Mauricio Wright (Costa Rica) winning championships. Harkes made his coaching debut with FC Cincinnati last year, guiding the team to third place in the Eastern Conference. [Read more…] about Feb. 8, 2000 – John Harkes reports to Revolution camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Feb. 6, 2000 – Revolution select Rusty Pierce in MLS draft, acquire Wolde Harris

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Rusty Pierce played an important part in the New England Revolution’s transformative years, providing a spirited presence on the back line, and becoming a crowd favorite. Pierce brought a passionate approach to the field. I used to try to keep track of practice skirmishes between players, and Pierce was involved in many of them, both with teammates and opposition. Pierce concluded his time with the Revolution fourth on the career all competitions appearances list with 113 in 2004.

[Read more…] about Feb. 6, 2000 – Revolution select Rusty Pierce in MLS draft, acquire Wolde Harris

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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. 27, 2005 – Joe-Max Moore announces retirement

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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