The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in
Foxborough, Massachusetts-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,246 people, 6,141 households, and 4,396 families residing in the town. The population density was 809.1 people per square mile . There were 6,299 housing units at an average density of 313.7 per square mile...
which competes in
Major League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception.
The club is owned by
Robert KraftRobert K. Kraft is an American business magnate. He is the Chairman and was the Chief Executive Officer of The Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with assets in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development and a private equity portfolio...
, who also owns the
New England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
of the
National Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. The name "Revolution" refers to the New England region's involvement in the
American RevolutionThe American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
.
The Revs currently play their home matches at
Gillette StadiumGillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
. The club played their home games at the adjacent and now-demolished
Foxboro StadiumFoxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
, from 1996 until 2001. The Revs hold the distinction of being the only original MLS team to have every league game in its history televised.
The Revolution were one of the ten original
MLSMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
franchises to compete in the league's inaugural season. However, it took them until 2007—their twelfth year of existence—to win their first trophy, the 2007 US Open Cup. The following year, they won the
2008 North American SuperLigaThe 2008 North American SuperLiga, is the second edition of the SuperLiga competition. The top four Major League Soccer teams by point totals at the end of the 2007 season earn qualification....
. The Revolution have never won an
MLS CupThe MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
nor
MLS Supporters' ShieldThe Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
, despite reaching the MLS Cup finals in
2002The 2002 MLS Cup was the championship game of the 2002 Major League Soccer season. The game was played on October 20, 2002, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Los Angeles Galaxy beat the host New England Revolution 1-0 in the second overtime on a sudden-death goal from regular...
,
2005The 2005 MLS Cup was the championship game of the 2005 Major League Soccer season. It was played on November 13, 2005 at the new soccer-specific stadium, Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. In a rematch of the 2002 final, the Los Angeles Galaxy again beat the New England Revolution 1-0 in overtime,...
,
2006The 2006 MLS Cup was the championship game of the 2006 Major League Soccer season, played on November 12, 2006 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas between the New England Revolution and the Houston Dynamo. Houston won 4-3 on penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw following extra time...
, and
2007The 2007 MLS Cup was the 12th edition of the MLS Cup championship game. The match was played on November 18, 2007 between the New England Revolution and the Houston Dynamo — a rematch of the 2006 MLS Cup final. For the second straight year, the Dynamo defeated the Revolution, this time by a 2-1...
; and having the second best regular season record in 2005.
The early years: 1996–2001
The inaugural Revolution team featured several
US Men's National TeamThe United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
regulars returning from abroad to be part of the new league. Despite the presence of
Alexi LalasPanayotis Alexander Lalas is a retired American soccer player who played mostly as a defender for the United States national team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup...
, Mike Burns, and
Joe-Max MooreJoe-Max Moore is a former American soccer forward who played for the United States national team in three World Cups. He played professionally for clubs in Germany, England and the United States. He finished his career with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer...
, however, the team was one of only two that failed to make the playoffs of the then-10-team league. The following season, the squad made the playoffs, but failed to advance past the first round. For the next five years, this would be the Revs best playoff result (which they matched in the 2000 season) as a revolving door of players and head coaches failed to make much of an impact on the fledgling league.
Attendance in these early years was high despite the team's poor on-field performances. More than 15,000 people per match regularly came to watch the Revolution play in the old
Foxboro StadiumFoxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
. The Revs did manage to make the final of the
2001 US Open Cup-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:Four PDL and four USASA teams start.-----Second round:...
, but they lost to the
Los Angeles GalaxyThe Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
on a
golden goalThe golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
by
Danny CaliffDaniel Benjamin "Danny" Califf is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
. It was a harbinger of finals to come for the Revolution.
The Steve Nicol era: 2002–2011
Liverpool great
Steve NicolStephen "Steve" Nicol is a Scottish former professional footballer. A utility player who played in the all-conquering Liverpool team of the 1980s, he was most recently coach of New England Revolution, and was the longest-tenured head coach in MLS to coach a single club.As a player, Nicol was a...
was appointed on a full-time basis for the 2002 season (he had previously held the position of interim head coach during 1999). Since he took over, Nicol has only failed once to guide the Revolution to a playoff berth, a league-record eight straight seasons, failing for the first time in 2010. The first six of those berths (from 2002–2007) resulted in an appearance in the conference final or better, including three consecutive
MLS CupThe MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
finals from 2005–2007. Since the
2008 seasonThe 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:...
, the Revs have failed to go further than the first round of the playoffs. Still, Nicol is respected as one of the best coaches in the league and near-universally revered by Revolution fans.
Playoff success: 2002–2007
In his first season in charge, Nicol guided the Revs to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference. The team advanced through the playoffs to the MLS Cup final, where they lost to the Galaxy again, this time 1–0 on a golden goal by Carlos Ruiz.
After losing in the conference finals in 2003 and 2004, the Revs repeated their 2002 feat finishing tops in the east and losing to LA 1–0 in extra time again in 2005. New England had a real chance to win their first MLS championship, in
MLS Cup 2006The 2006 MLS Cup was the championship game of the 2006 Major League Soccer season, played on November 12, 2006 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas between the New England Revolution and the Houston Dynamo. Houston won 4-3 on penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw following extra time...
, against the
Houston DynamoThe Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
. After
Taylor TwellmanTaylor Twellman is a retired American soccer player who currently works as a television analyst for the Philadelphia Union and ESPN soccer.-Youth and College:Taylor was raised in St...
scored in the 113th minute, the Revs allowed a equalising header from the Dynamo's
Brian ChingBrian Ching is an American professional soccer forward currently playing for the Montreal Impact of Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
less than a minute later that sent the game to penalty kicks, where the Revs lost 4–3. The 2007 MLS Cup was a rematch from the previous year, though the result was the same as Houston defeated New England 2–1.
Their 2002 MLS Cup appearance granted them a spot in the 2003 CONCACAF Champions Cup, but lost their first matchup 5:3 on aggregate after playing two games on the road to
LD AlajuelenseLiga Deportiva Alajuelense , is a Costa Rican football club, currently playing in the Primera División de Costa Rica. It was founded on June 18, 1919. The team is located in Alajuela's downtown and they play their local games at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.Alajuelense was the first Costa...
. The Revolution again faced LD Alajuelense of Costa Rica in the home and away
2006 CONCACAF Champions' CupThe 2006 CONCACAF Champions' Cup was the 41st edition of the annual international club football competition held in the CONCACAF region , the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The tournament is also a qualifying event for the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup...
. The "home" game was played February 22, 2006, in Bermuda despite some fans feeling that playing at Gillette Stadium in the adverse conditions of winter in New England could have been advantageous. The Revs failed to advance, as they drew 0–0 in Bermuda and lost 0–1 in Costa Rica.
Minor trophies, rebuilding: 2007–present
In the
2007 seasonThe 2007 Major League Soccer season was the 12th season in league history. The season began on April 7 and concluded with MLS Cup 2007 on November 18, 2007 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.....
, the Revs made it to two cup finals. Though they again lost the main prize, MLS Cup, they defeated
FC DallasFC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
to win their first-ever trophy: the
2007 US Open Cup-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:-----Second round:-----Third round:...
. The victory qualified the club for the preliminary round of the newly expanded
CONCACAF Champions LeagueThe CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
. Additionally, their top-four finish qualified them for
SuperLiga 2008The 2008 North American SuperLiga, is the second edition of the SuperLiga competition. The top four Major League Soccer teams by point totals at the end of the 2007 season earn qualification....
. This meant the Revolution would be competing in four different competitions (MLS, Open Cup, Champions League, and SuperLiga) during the
2008 seasonThe 2008 Major League Soccer season was the 13th season in league history. The season began on March 29 and ended with MLS Cup 2008, on November 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Changes from the 2007 season:...
.
The 2008 season started wonderfully for the Revs. By mid-July, they were leading the overall MLS table and had finished as the number one overall seed in SuperLiga. The team won the tournament, defeating the
Houston DynamoThe Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
on penalties to earn a small amount of revenge on for their successive MLS Cup defeats. Unfortunately, the team's second trophy in as many seasons would be the high point for the 2008 Revs. Fixture congestion led to a rash of injuries and general fatigue, and the team crashed out the Champions League with an embarrassing 4–0 home defeat to regional minnows Joe Public FC of
Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
(the tie ended 6–1 Joe Public on aggregate). The team also struggled in domestic play, limping to a third-place finish in the East and losing to the Chicago Fire in the first round of the playoffs. The Revs did manage a semifinal appearance in the
2008 Open Cup-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:-----Second round:-----Third round:----...
, but lost to DC United and failed to defend their 2007 title.
In 2009, the Revs continued the mediocrity that had plagued the second half of their 2008 season, losing to Chicago again in the first round of the playoffs. The team also lost to Chicago in the semifinals of the 2009 SuperLiga.
2010The 2010 New England Revolution season is the fifteenth season of the team's existence. The regular season began on March 27, 2010 with a 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy and ended on October 21 with a 2-0 loss at the New York Red Bulls....
started even more dismally than 2009, with the team failing to put together an unbeaten streak longer than three games until July. Luckily, this unbeaten streak coincided with the Revs' third consecutive SuperLiga appearance, and for the second time in three years, the team made the competition's final, but lost 2–1 to Monarcas Morelia of Mexico.
The team failed to make the playoffs in either 2010, or 2011, and at the end of the 2011 season, announced they had parted ways with manager
Steve NicolStephen "Steve" Nicol is a Scottish former professional footballer. A utility player who played in the all-conquering Liverpool team of the 1980s, he was most recently coach of New England Revolution, and was the longest-tenured head coach in MLS to coach a single club.As a player, Nicol was a...
who had managed the team for 10 years
Colors and badge
The club badge is stylized, based on the
flag of the United StatesThe national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...
with some of the stars made into a soccer ball (similar to
AdidasAdidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
' ball for the
UEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
).
The home kit is navy, and the away white, both with red detail. Therefore the colors are the same as the national team of the United States. This is also consistent with New England's sister team, the
National Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's
New England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
(also owned by Kraft and playing in the same stadium). In 2011, the Revolution announced that their new jersey sponsor would be United Health Care and that United Health Care would be written on the home and away jerseys.
Stadium
- Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
; Foxborough, Massachusetts-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,246 people, 6,141 households, and 4,396 families residing in the town. The population density was 809.1 people per square mile . There were 6,299 housing units at an average density of 313.7 per square mile...
(1996–2001)
- Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
; Foxborough, Massachusetts-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,246 people, 6,141 households, and 4,396 families residing in the town. The population density was 809.1 people per square mile . There were 6,299 housing units at an average density of 313.7 per square mile...
(2002–present)
- Lusitano Stadium
Lusitano Stadium, located in Ludlow, Massachusetts, is a 3,000-seat stadium built in 1918 currently used for soccer. Currently its tenants are the Western Mass Pioneers of the USL Premier Development League and the Western Mass Lady Pioneers of the W-League....
; Ludlow, MassachusettsLudlow is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,103 as of the 2010 census. It is located in western Massachusetts, north of Springfield, east of Chicopee, southeast of Granby, southwest of Belchertown, west of Wilbraham and is considered part of the...
(2003–2005) 3 games in US Open Cup
- Veteran's Stadium
Veterans Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in New Britain, Connecticut. Opened in 1982, it is dedicated to the soldiers of the city who lost their lives in various U.S. wars, particularly Vietnam....
; New Britain, ConnecticutNew Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 71,254....
(2007–2009) 4 games in US Open Cup
The Revolution has played its home games in
Foxborough, Massachusetts-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,246 people, 6,141 households, and 4,396 families residing in the town. The population density was 809.1 people per square mile . There were 6,299 housing units at an average density of 313.7 per square mile...
since its inception – initially at the
Foxboro StadiumFoxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
and subsequently at its replacement,
Gillette StadiumGillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
. It shares the stadium with the
New England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
of the
National Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
On June 14, 2006,
MLSMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
announced that the Revolution were hoping to build a new
soccer-specific stadiumSoccer-specific stadium is a term used mainly in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Korea coined by Lamar Hunt, to refer to a sports stadium either purpose built or fundamentally redesigned for soccer and whose primary function is to host soccer matches, as opposed to a multipurpose...
. Bids have gone out to local towns around New England to see where the Revs could have a stadium built.
On August 2, 2007, the Boston Herald published an article stating that the city of
SomervilleSomerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 75,754 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in...
and Revolution officials have held "preliminary discussions" about building a 20,000 to 25,000 seat stadium on a 100 acre (0.404686 km²) site off of Innerbelt Road near Interstate 93, and could cost anywhere between $50 and $200 million based on other similar soccer specific stadiums built by Major League Soccer teams. After a two-year hiatus, the Revolution renewed their plans to build a stadium in Somerville since the
Massachusetts Bay Transportation AuthorityThe Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, often referred to as the MBTA or simply The T, is the public operator of most bus, subway, commuter rail and ferry systems in the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area. Officially a "body politic and corporate, and a political subdivision" of the...
finalized its Green Line maintenance facility plans. In an July 2010 interview with team owner Kraft has said that over $1MM has been invested in finding a suitable site, preferably in the urban core. However, the club also has three other sites in consideration in the event of the proposal's termination.
Supporters groups
The team's supporter's clubs are called the
Midnight RidersThe Midnight Riders is the independent supporters group for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. The main aim of the Midnight Riders is “is to form a network of supporters such that can meet, watch, travel to, and discuss games, and have a collective voice for supporters' interests...
, The Rebellion and the Rev Army. The name 'Midnight Riders' is in honor of the famous rides of
Paul ReverePaul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. He is most famous for alerting Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride...
and
William DawesWilliam Dawes, Jr. was one of several men and a woman who alerted colonial minutemen of the approach of British army troops prior to the Battle of Lexington and Concord at the outset of the American Revolution....
, who announced the departure of British troops from Boston to Concord at the beginning of the
American RevolutionThe American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. All three groups together occupy the north stand of the stadium, which they have nicknamed "The Fort". The Fort is a general admission section and draws its name from the revolutionary theme which runs through the team and independent supporters' associations.
Rivalries
The club's main rival is widely considered to be New York Red Bulls, although in recent years the Revolution have built rivalries with fellow Eastern Conference teams DC United and Chicago Fire. These three teams have faced each other on numerous occasions in the playoffs. New England's most bitter of rivals are the Chicago Fire as the clubs have clashed many times in the MLS playoffs and regular season, usually producing unsportsmanlike conduct from both sets of players and many post-match confrontations.
The "airplane incident"
On July 18, 2008, Revolution players and staff were on
American AirlinesAmerican Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
Flight 725, a Boeing 757 with 151 passengers and seven crew on board, flying from Boston to Los Angeles. The team was en route to play Chivas USA as part of the
2008 SuperLigaThe 2008 North American SuperLiga, is the second edition of the SuperLiga competition. The top four Major League Soccer teams by point totals at the end of the 2007 season earn qualification....
tournament. During the flight, team staff helped to subdue an unruly passenger who had undressed and was attempting to open the plane's emergency exit during the flight. The plane was diverted to
Oklahoma CityOklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
, where the passenger was removed by
FBIThe Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
personnel.
Broadcasting
All Revolution matches are televised locally in high definition on Comcast SportsNet New England; nationally televised matches air on
ESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
,
ESPN2ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
, and
FOX Soccer ChannelFox Soccer is an American television specialty channel, owned by News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group, that specializes in soccer. It formerly broadcast rugby and Australian rules football, but is now dedicated strictly to soccer...
. All matches are broadcast on radio by
WBZ-FMWBZ-FM is a sports radio station known as "98.5 The Sports Hub" and broadcasting on 98.5 MHz in Boston, Massachusetts. Owned by CBS Radio, the current WBZ-FM began on August 13, 2009 and competes with AM sports talk stations WEEI and competed with the ESPN Radio pair of WAMG and WLLH before their...
, but this is a simulcast of the TV feed.
Brad FeldmanBrad Feldman is an American television/radio announcer, radio personality, and broadcasting executive. He is currently the TV and radio play-by-play announcer for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer.-Commentary career:...
handles play-by-play on both TV and radio with
Jay HeapsJay Heaps ) is a former American soccer player. He is the current head coach for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer....
doing color commentary. Matches had previously been aired on
WSBK-TVWSBK-TV is a MyNetworkTV television station for eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire that is licensed to Boston. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 39 from a transmitter along the Needham and Wellesley town line southwest of the MA 9 and I-95 / MA 128...
in standard definition.
Current roster
As of November 30, 2011.
Reserve team players
This list shows players who have played for the team in official 2011 MLS Reserve DivisionThe new MLS Reserve League was resurrected for the 2011 season, after not having played since 2008. Each team will play 10 games against divisional opponenets, with clubs being allowed schedule additional games against non-MLS opponents. The schedule begins March 20 and tentatively concludes Oct...
games, but are not part of the senior roster.
Notable former players
This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.
Chris AlbrightChristopher John Albright is an American soccer player who most recently played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:Albright attended William Penn Charter School...
(2008–10)
Leonel Álvarez (1999-01)
Adin BrownAdin Brown is an American soccer player who is currently without a club.-College:A highly-touted prospect and a starting goalkeeper for the United States in the run-up prior to the 2000 Summer Olympics, Brown played college soccer at the College of William and Mary...
(2002–04) Mike Burns (1996-00)
José CancelaJosé Carlos Cancela Durán is a Uruguayan soccer player who plays attacking midfielder for Herediano in Costa Rica. He is nicknamed "Pepe"....
(2003–06)
Alex Pineda ChacónAlex Pineda Chacón is a former footballer who is currently the head coach of Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-Club career:...
(2002)
Ousmane DaboOusmane Dabo is a retired French footballer.He has previously played for Rennes, Internazionale, Vicenza, Parma, Monaco, Atalanta, Lazio, Manchester City and New England Revolution. He has represented France three times at full international level...
(2011)
Clint DempseyClinton Drew "Clint" Dempsey is an American soccer player who plays for Fulham and the United States national team. Dempsey usually plays as either an attacking midfielder, or a striker....
(2004–06)
Mamadou DialloMamadou Diallo , also known as Big Mama, is a former Senegalese football striker.-European career:Diallo has played all over the world: United States, Senegal, Morocco, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South Africa, Mali, Germany, Turkey, Sweden and Norway...
(2002)
Raúl Díaz ArceRaúl Díaz Arce is a retired Salvadoran football player.He is El Salvador's second most prolific goal scorer behind Jorge "Mágico" González, with 39 goals in just 68 appearances.-Early career:...
(1998)
Didier DomiDidier Arsène Marcel Domi is a French footballer.-Career:A former French youth and Under-21 international, Domi joined Paris Saint-Germain as a trainee in 1994, and made his debut in January 1996...
(2011)
Andy DormanAndrew "Andy" Dorman is a Wales international footballer. Born in England of English parents, he grew up in Wales and represented the Wales schools team, eventually gaining full senior international recognition when FIFA amended its rules on eligibility...
(2004–07)
Giuseppe GalderisiGiuseppe Galderisi is an Italian former football forward and currently is the manager of Triestina.-Playing career:...
(1996)
John HarkesJohn Harkes is an American former soccer player. Harkes was the first American ever to play in the English Premier League, and the second American to score at Wembley Stadium. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He appeared in two FIFA World Cup tournaments, and won two MLS Cup...
(1999-01)
Wolde HarrisWolde Sealassie Harris is a Jamaican football striker who played professionally in Major League Soccer and was the 1996 A-League Rookie of the Year...
(2000–03)
Jay HeapsJay Heaps ) is a former American soccer player. He is the current head coach for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer....
(2001–09)
Steve HoweyStephen Norman "Steve" Howey is a former footballer who played for the England national team. At club level, he made more than 300 appearances in the Football League and the Premier League, playing for Newcastle United, Manchester City, Leicester City, Bolton Wanderers and Hartlepool United...
(2004)
Zak IbsenZak Ibsen is an American soccer player who last played for San Jose Earthquakes. He earned three caps with the United States men's national soccer team and was a member of the U.S. soccer team at the 1992 Summer Olympics...
(1996)
Edgaras JankauskasEdgaras Jankauskas is a retired Lithuanian footballer who works as a coach-interpreter for FC Lokomotiv Moscow.A tall, powerful striker who plays to the physical side of the game, he is also known for skill. Other than in his own, he played professionally in nine different countries, and...
(2009–10)
Avery JohnAvery John is a Trinidadian soccer player.-Youth and College:John attended Vessigny [Antilles] Government Secondary School and then Presentation College, and played college soccer for Yavapai College in Arizona and American University in Washington, DC...
(2004–07)
Alexi LalasPanayotis Alexander Lalas is a retired American soccer player who played mostly as a defender for the United States national team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup...
(1996–97)
Jeff LarentowiczJeffery Adam Larentowicz is an American soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-College:...
(2005–10)
Joe-Max MooreJoe-Max Moore is a former American soccer forward who played for the United States national team in three World Cups. He played professionally for clubs in Germany, England and the United States. He finished his career with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer...
(1996–99), (2003–04)
Pat NoonanPat Noonan is an American soccer player who last played for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
(2003–07)
Michael ParkhurstMichael Parkhurst is an American soccer player. He plays primarily as center back for F.C. Nordsjælland in the Danish Superliga...
(2005–08)
Steve RalstonSteve Ralston is a retired American soccer player and a current assistant coach for the Houston Dynamo.-Professional:...
(2002–10)
Ilija StolicaIlija Stolica is a Serbian footballer.-Club:Stolica began his career with Serbian club FK Zemun. In his first year with the club he appeared in 24 matches and scored 6 goals. His play with Zemun attracted the interest of Spanish Second Division side UE Lleida who signed him in 1998...
(2010–11)
William SunsingWilliam Sunsing Hidalgo is a Costa Rican football player, who currently plays for Municipal Liberia in Costa Rica.Hidalgo played professionally for CS Herediano, FK Teplice in the Czech Republic, APO Akratitos in Greece, Deportivo Saprissa in Costa Rica, and New England Revolution in the United...
(2002–03)
Taylor TwellmanTaylor Twellman is a retired American soccer player who currently works as a television analyst for the Philadelphia Union and ESPN soccer.-Youth and College:Taylor was raised in St...
(2002–10) Andy Williams (2001–02)
Eric WynaldaEric Boswell Wynalda is a retired American soccer player, and former sports broadcaster. He was the co-host of Fox Football Fone-In on Fox Soccer Channel and is currently employeed as the president of international operations at Mexican third division club Murcielagos.Wynalda scored the first goal...
(2000–01)
Walter ZengaWalter Zenga is a retired Italian footballer and current manager. He is a long-time goalkeeper for the Italian national team and Internazionale. He also holds Romanian citizenship...
(1997–99)
- See also All-time New England Revolution roster
This list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for New England Revolution since the team's first Major League Soccer season in 1996...
Head coaches
Frank StapletonFrancis Anthony "Frank" Stapleton is an Irish former football player and manager. He is best remembered for his time at Arsenal, Manchester United and as a pivotal player for the Republic of Ireland...
(1996)
Thomas RongenThomas Rongen is a Dutch soccer coach, formerly the head coach of D.C. United, the Sporting Director of Major League Soccer club Chivas USA, and the coach of the American Samoa national association football team...
(1997–98)
Walter ZengaWalter Zenga is a retired Italian footballer and current manager. He is a long-time goalkeeper for the Italian national team and Internazionale. He also holds Romanian citizenship...
(1999)
Steve NicolStephen "Steve" Nicol is a Scottish former professional footballer. A utility player who played in the all-conquering Liverpool team of the 1980s, he was most recently coach of New England Revolution, and was the longest-tenured head coach in MLS to coach a single club.As a player, Nicol was a...
(1999),
(Interim) Fernando ClavijoFernando Clavijo is a retired American soccer football defender and former head coach of the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. He played three seasons in the American Soccer League, two in the North American Soccer League and ten in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
(2000–02)
Steve NicolStephen "Steve" Nicol is a Scottish former professional footballer. A utility player who played in the all-conquering Liverpool team of the 1980s, he was most recently coach of New England Revolution, and was the longest-tenured head coach in MLS to coach a single club.As a player, Nicol was a...
(2002–11)
Jay HeapsJay Heaps ) is a former American soccer player. He is the current head coach for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer....
(2012-present)
General Managers
- Brian O'Donovan (1995-00)
- Todd Smith (2001–02)
- Craig Tornberg (2003–08)
- Michael Burns (2011-present)
Achievements
- MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
- Runners-up (4): 2002
The 2002 MLS Cup was the championship game of the 2002 Major League Soccer season. The game was played on October 20, 2002, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Los Angeles Galaxy beat the host New England Revolution 1-0 in the second overtime on a sudden-death goal from regular...
, 2005The 2005 MLS Cup was the championship game of the 2005 Major League Soccer season. It was played on November 13, 2005 at the new soccer-specific stadium, Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. In a rematch of the 2002 final, the Los Angeles Galaxy again beat the New England Revolution 1-0 in overtime,...
, 2006The 2006 MLS Cup was the championship game of the 2006 Major League Soccer season, played on November 12, 2006 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas between the New England Revolution and the Houston Dynamo. Houston won 4-3 on penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw following extra time...
, 2007The 2007 MLS Cup was the 12th edition of the MLS Cup championship game. The match was played on November 18, 2007 between the New England Revolution and the Houston Dynamo — a rematch of the 2006 MLS Cup final. For the second straight year, the Dynamo defeated the Revolution, this time by a 2-1...
- MLS Supporters' Shield
The Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
- MLS Eastern Conference
- Winners (Regular Season) (2): 2002, 2005
- Winners (Playoff) (4): 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007
- Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
- Winners (1): 2007
-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:-----Second round:-----Third round:...
- Runners-up (1): 2001
-Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:Four PDL and four USASA teams start.-----Second round:...
- North American SuperLiga
The SuperLiga was an official North American association football competition between teams from the Primera División of Mexico and Major League Soccer of the United States and Canada, the top divisions in each country. The competition was sanctioned by CONCACAF, U.S...
- Winners (1): 2008
The 2008 North American SuperLiga, is the second edition of the SuperLiga competition. The top four Major League Soccer teams by point totals at the end of the 2007 season earn qualification....
- Runners-up (1): 2010
The 2010 SuperLiga was the fourth edition of the SuperLiga. The top four overall Major League Soccer teams from the 2009 season not already qualified for the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League earned qualification as well as four clubs from the Primera División de México.- Qualification :The teams...
Year-by-year
| Year |
Reg. Season |
Playoffs |
Open Cup |
CONCACAF
Champions' League |
| 1996 |
5th, East |
Did not qualify |
Did not enter |
Did not qualify |
| 1997 |
4th, East |
Quarter-Finals |
Round of 16 |
Did not qualify |
| 1998 |
6th, East |
Did not qualify |
Did not enter |
Did not qualify |
| 1999 |
5th, East |
Did not qualify |
Did not enter |
Did not qualify |
| 2000 |
2nd, East |
Quarter-Finals |
Round of 32 |
Did not qualify |
| 2001 |
3rd, East |
Did not qualify |
Final |
Not held |
| 2002 |
1st, East |
Final |
Did not enter |
Did not qualify |
| 2003 |
2nd, East |
Conf. Final |
Quarter-Finals |
First Round |
| 2004 |
4th, East |
Conf. Final |
Round of 16 |
Did not qualify |
| 2005 |
1st, East |
Final |
Round of 16 |
Did not qualify |
| 2006 |
2nd, East |
Final |
Quarter-Finals |
First Round |
| 2007 |
2nd, East |
Final |
Champions |
Did not qualify |
| 2008 |
3rd, East |
Conf. SF |
Semi-Finals |
Did not qualify |
| 2009 |
3rd, East |
Conf. SF |
Round of 16 |
Preliminary Round |
| 2010 |
6th, East |
Did not qualify |
Did not qualify |
Did not qualify |
| 2011 |
TBD, East |
Did not qualify |
Did not qualify |
Did not qualify |
Team records
As of October 22nd, 11.
- Games Played:
Jay HeapsJay Heaps ) is a former American soccer player. He is the current head coach for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer....
(243)
- Games Started:
Shalrie JosephShalrie Jamal Joseph is a Grenadian footballer who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:...
(239)
- Minutes Played: Jay Heaps
Jay Heaps ) is a former American soccer player. He is the current head coach for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer....
(21,619)
- Goals: Taylor Twellman
Taylor Twellman is a retired American soccer player who currently works as a television analyst for the Philadelphia Union and ESPN soccer.-Youth and College:Taylor was raised in St...
(101)
- Assists: Steve Ralston
Steve Ralston is a retired American soccer player and a current assistant coach for the Houston Dynamo.-Professional:...
(73)
- Game-Winning Goals: Taylor Twellman
Taylor Twellman is a retired American soccer player who currently works as a television analyst for the Philadelphia Union and ESPN soccer.-Youth and College:Taylor was raised in St...
(28)
- Game-Winning Assists: Steve Ralston
Steve Ralston is a retired American soccer player and a current assistant coach for the Houston Dynamo.-Professional:...
(22)
- Hat Tricks: Taylor Twellman
Taylor Twellman is a retired American soccer player who currently works as a television analyst for the Philadelphia Union and ESPN soccer.-Youth and College:Taylor was raised in St...
(3)
- Multi-Goal Games: Taylor Twellman
Taylor Twellman is a retired American soccer player who currently works as a television analyst for the Philadelphia Union and ESPN soccer.-Youth and College:Taylor was raised in St...
(16)
- Penalty-Kick Goals: Shalrie Joseph
Shalrie Jamal Joseph is a Grenadian footballer who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:...
* (12)
- Games Played In Goal: Matt Reis
Matt Reis is an American soccer player who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:Reis played college soccer at UCLA...
* (215)
- Games Started In Goal: Matt Reis
Matt Reis is an American soccer player who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:Reis played college soccer at UCLA...
* (214)
- Minutes Played In Goal: Matt Reis
Matt Reis is an American soccer player who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:Reis played college soccer at UCLA...
* (19,271)
- Goals Against Average: Matt Reis
Matt Reis is an American soccer player who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:Reis played college soccer at UCLA...
* (1.32)
- Wins: Matt Reis
Matt Reis is an American soccer player who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:Reis played college soccer at UCLA...
* (80)
- Saves: Matt Reis
Matt Reis is an American soccer player who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:Reis played college soccer at UCLA...
* (868)
- Shutouts (clean sheets): Matt Reis
Matt Reis is an American soccer player who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-College:Reis played college soccer at UCLA...
* (55)
* Active
- All-Time regular season record: 185–214–93
International tournaments
- 2011 World Football Challenge
The 2011 World Football Challenge was the second World Football Challenge event, a series of friendly football matches played in the United States and Canada in July and August 2011.- Participants :...
-
- Group Stage v.
Manchester United -- 1:4
Average attendance
regular season/playoffs
- 1996: 19,025
- 1997: 21,423 / 16,233
- 1998: 19,188
- 1999: 16,735
- 2000: 15,463 / 10,723
- 2001: 15,645
- 2002: 16,927 / 19,018
- 2003: 14,641 / 14,823
- 2004: 12,226 / 5,679
- 2005: 12,525 / 13,849
- 2006: 11,786 / 9,372
- 2007: 16,787 / 10,217
- 2008: 17,580 / 5,221
- 2009: 13,732 / 7,416
- 2010: 12,987
- 2011: 13,222
-
- All-Time: 15,596 / 11,255
External links