Wolde Harris’ 50th-minute goal deflected off current New England Revolution assistant coach Tom Soehn to give the Revolution their first MLS playoff advantage. The Revolution had advanced to the playoffs only once in the first four seasons of MLS, and it took until this series for them to win their first playoff match. [Read more…] about Sept. 15, 2000 – Chicago Fire 2:1 Revolution, MLS playoffs at Soldier Field (Att.: 10,476)
The New England Revolution’s Jeff Causey was red-carded in a post-match shootout, replacement Joe-Max Moore slipping a green shirt over his No. 9 jersey, then failing to stop three Miami Fusion attempts. The farcical situation helped lead to the demise of the shootout in MLS. Said Don Garber, who had replaced Doug Logan as MLS commissioner in August 2000: “The shootout has been our biggest controversy. Every meeting we have always comes back to it. We are going to have to make a decision on it, a difficult decision, based on bringing the game closer to the hard-core fan.” [Read more…] about Sept. 11, 1999 – Death knell for MLS ‘shootouts’ — Walter Zenga’s final game in goal
Fernando Clavijo appeared to be building a successful team as the Revolution struggled to overcome a slow start to their MLS existence (losing seasons from 1996-99). [Read more…] about Sept. 9, 2000 – Joe Franchino scores two goals, Revolution finish regular season with .500 record for first time
Todd Smith, Revolution GM since Sept. 26, 2000, had been diagnosed with cancer, but continued to work full-time, announcing his resignation effective at the end of the season. Smith had fired Revolution coach Fernando Clavijo after a 5-2 loss at Colorado dropped the team’s record to 2W-4L-1D on May 22, 2002, replacing him with assistant Steve Nicol on an interim basis. [Read more…] about Sept. 6, 2002 – Revolution general manager Todd Smith announces resignation
Steve Ralston opened the scoring with a 55th-minute finish into an open net after Oguchi Onyewu headed an Eddie Lewis free kick off the left post as the U.S. qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. DaMarcus Beasley added a 62nd-minute goal. Ralston made 15 of his 36 international appearances in 2005 but was not selected for the World Cup finals team. [Read more…] about Sept. 3, 2005 – DOS A ZERO as Steve Ralston scores World Cup berth clinching goal. U.S. 2:0 Mexico at Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio (Att.: 24,685)
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)
Taylor Twellman scored a 22nd-minute goal, sustaining a five-stitch cut on the face and concussion as goalkeeper Steve Cronin attempted to punch Khano Smith’s cross (Cronin broke a finger and was replaced after halftime by Josh Wicks). The Galaxy rallied on Landon Donovan goals (33rd and 55th minutes) before Shalrie Joseph equalized (71st). Beckham seemed reluctant to perform on the Gillette Stadium artificial surface but made three appearances there in his six-year MLS career. [Read more…] about Aug. 30, 2008 – David Beckham makes Gillette Stadium debut; Taylor Twellman sustains concussion. Revolution 2:2 LA Galaxy (Att.: 39,256)
The Revolution won their second successive match as things seemed to be transforming for the team. After a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Fire on Aug. 18, 2002, the Revolution were in ninth place in the overall standings, 7 points away from a playoff berth with six matches remaining. [Read more…] about Aug. 28, 2002 – Revolution 3:1 Colorado Rapids. First Revolution win at (renamed) Gillette Stadium (Att.: 13,210)
Steve Potter and Paul Duffy scored second-half goals as the Bolts took a 2-0 win over the Strikers, evening the series at 1-1. The Strikers then won, 1-0, on Marcelo Carrera’s eighth-minute goal in a 30-minute “mini-game.” Carrera, who began his career with Independiente in Argentina, went on to play for the Columbus Crew in MLS and Strikers coach Thomas Rongen guided the Revolution to their first playoff appearance in 1997. [Read more…] about Aug. 26, 1989 – Boston Bolts 2:0 (0:1 “mini-game”) Fort Lauderdale Strikers, ASL final at Nickerson Field (Att.: 5,370)
Foxboro Stadium (1971-2001) was designed for NFL games and had no soccer specifications. But the facility ended up with a strong soccer legacy, serving as home to two professional teams (New England Tea Men, New England Revolution); playing host to six 1994 World Cup matches; two MLS Cups (including the inaugural final in 1996); several internationals, including World Cup qualifiers; plus nine matches in the 1999 and 2003 Women’s World Cup; and the initial Women’s United Soccer Association final. [Read more…] about Aug. 25, 2001 – WUSA Founders Cup final at Foxboro Stadium. Bay Area CyberRays 3:3 Atlanta Beat (Att.: 21,078)