Frank Dell'Apa

Walter Zenga

Sept. 11, 1999 – Death knell for MLS ‘shootouts’ — Walter Zenga’s final game in goal

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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

June 22, 1997 – Revolution 2:2 (2:1 shootout) Dallas Burn. Hour-plus lightning delay (Att.: 15,819)

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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)

May 31, 1992 – Italy 0:0 Portugal, U.S. Cup at Yale Bowl (Att.: 38,833)

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The Azzurri had their first look at the New England area, and would return two years later for World Cup second round and quarterfinal matches.

This game was played in a rainstorm and organizers had had to put things together quickly. I recall FIGC president Antonio Mattarese entering the press box and taking notice of water dripping onto the cold cuts table of the pre-game “spread.” Pretty certain questions were raised about planning for the ’94 World Cup. [Read more…] about May 31, 1992 – Italy 0:0 Portugal, U.S. Cup at Yale Bowl (Att.: 38,833)

March 1, 1999 – Revolution 1×0 Alania Vladikavkaz

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A Joe-Max Moore free kick gave the Revolution a 1-0 win over Alania Vladikavkaz, which had won the Russian title in 1995, finished second in ’96, 10th in ’97 and eighth in ’98. The preseason match was staged in Massa, Italy. Alania had several national team players, plus five Brazilians, who seemed to be under the most pressure after the defeat. Valeriy Gazzaev was coaching the Snow Leopards, and he did not take losses lightly. This was a preseason game, but the competitive level was intense. Early in the match, Raimondas Zutautas ripped a necklace off of Giovanni Savarese, and I never found out why. [Read more…] about March 1, 1999 – Revolution 1×0 Alania Vladikavkaz

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