- New England Revolution
-
New England Revolution 
Full name New England Revolution Nickname(s) Revs Founded 1995 Stadium Gillette Stadium
Foxborough, Massachusetts
(Capacity: 68,756)Owner 
Robert KraftHead Coach Jay HeapsLeague Major League Soccer 2011 Eastern Conference: 9th
Overall: 17th
Playoffs: DNQWebsite Club home page 
Home colors
Away colors
Current seasonThe New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer (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 Kraft, who also owns the New England Patriots of the National Football League. The name "Revolution" refers to the New England region's involvement in the American Revolution.
The Revs currently play their home matches at Gillette Stadium. The club played their home games at the adjacent and now-demolished Foxboro Stadium, 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.[1]
The Revolution were one of the ten original MLS 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 SuperLiga. The Revolution have never won an MLS Cup nor MLS Supporters' Shield, despite reaching the MLS Cup finals in 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007; and having the second best regular season record in 2005.
Contents
History
The early years: 1996–2001
The inaugural Revolution team featured several US Men's National Team regulars returning from abroad to be part of the new league. Despite the presence of Alexi Lalas, Mike Burns, and Joe-Max Moore, 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 Stadium. The Revs did manage to make the final of the 2001 US Open Cup, but they lost to the Los Angeles Galaxy on a golden goal by Danny Califf. It was a harbinger of finals to come for the Revolution.
The Steve Nicol era: 2002–2011
Liverpool great Steve Nicol 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 Cup finals from 2005–2007. Since the 2008 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.[2][3]
Playoff success: 2002–2007
Steve Ralston was an integral part of the Revs' success, leading them to four MLS Cup finals
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 2006, against the Houston Dynamo. After Taylor Twellman scored in the 113th minute, the Revs allowed a equalising header from the Dynamo's Brian Ching 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.[4]
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 Alajuelense. The Revolution again faced LD Alajuelense of Costa Rica in the home and away 2006 CONCACAF Champions' 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 season, the Revs made it to two cup finals. Though they again lost the main prize, MLS Cup, they defeated FC Dallas to win their first-ever trophy: the 2007 US Open Cup. The victory qualified the club for the preliminary round of the newly expanded CONCACAF Champions League. Additionally, their top-four finish qualified them for SuperLiga 2008. This meant the Revolution would be competing in four different competitions (MLS, Open Cup, Champions League, and SuperLiga) during the 2008 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 Dynamo 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 Tobago (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, 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. 2010 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 Nicol who had managed the team for 10 years
Colors and badge
The club badge is stylized, based on the flag of the United States with some of the stars made into a soccer ball (similar to Adidas' ball for the UEFA Champions League).
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 League's New England Patriots (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
Gillette Stadium has been New England Revolution's home stadium since 2002- Foxboro Stadium; Foxborough, Massachusetts (1996–2001)
- Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Massachusetts (2002–present)
- Lusitano Stadium; Ludlow, Massachusetts (2003–2005) 3 games in US Open Cup
- Veteran's Stadium; New Britain, Connecticut (2007–2009) 4 games in US Open Cup
The Revolution has played its home games in Foxborough, Massachusetts since its inception – initially at the Foxboro Stadium and subsequently at its replacement, Gillette Stadium. It shares the stadium with the New England Patriots of the National Football League.
On June 14, 2006, MLS announced that the Revolution were hoping to build a new soccer-specific stadium. Bids have gone out to local towns around New England to see where the Revs could have a stadium built.[5]
On August 2, 2007, the Boston Herald published an article stating that the city of Somerville and Revolution officials have held "preliminary discussions" about building a 20,000 to 25,000 seat stadium on a 100-acre (0.40 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.[6] After a two-year hiatus, the Revolution renewed their plans to build a stadium in Somerville since the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority finalized its Green Line maintenance facility plans.[7] 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.[8] However, the club also has three other sites in consideration in the event of the proposal's termination.
Club culture
Supporters groups
The team's supporter's clubs are called the Midnight Riders, The Rebellion and the Rev Army. The name 'Midnight Riders' is in honor of the famous rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes, who announced the departure of British troops from Boston to Concord at the beginning of the American Revolution. 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.[9]
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 Airlines 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 SuperLiga 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 City, where the passenger was removed by FBI personnel.[10][11]
Broadcasting
Main article: List of New England Revolution broadcastersAll Revolution matches are televised locally in high definition on Comcast SportsNet New England; nationally televised matches air on ESPN, ESPN2, and FOX Soccer Channel. All matches are broadcast on radio by WBZ-FM, but this is a simulcast of the TV feed. Brad Feldman handles play-by-play on both TV and radio with Jay Heaps doing color commentary.[12] Matches had previously been aired on WSBK-TV in standard definition.
Players and staff
Current roster
As of June 19, 2011.[13]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Position Player 1 GK Matt Reis 2 
DF Franco Coria 4 
DF Otto Loewy 5 DF A. J. Soares 7 
MF Kenny Mansally 8 DF Chris Tierney 9 FW Milton Caraglio 10 
FW Rajko Lekić 11 
FW Kheli Dube 12 FW Alan Koger 13 MF Ryan Guy 14 
MF Diego Fagundez 15 FW Zack Schilawski 17 MF Sainey Nyassi No. Position Player 19 
FW Monsef Zerka 21 
MF Shalrie Joseph (captain) 22 MF Benny Feilhaber 23 MF Andrew Sousa 25 DF Darrius Barnes 26 MF Stephen McCarthy 28 MF Pat Phelan 30 DF Kevin Alston 33 FW Zak Boggs 34 GK Bobby Shuttleworth 35 FW Ryan Kinne 40 GK Tim Murray 45 DF Ryan Cochrane Reserve team players
This list shows players who have played for the team in official 2011 MLS Reserve Division games, but are not part of the senior roster.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Position Player DF Yannick Kabal DF Mitch Taintor 
MF Michael Augustine MF Cole Denormandie No. Position Player MF Jack Kilger MF Michael Rincon FW Dominik Machado FW Fabio Machado 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 Albright (2008–10)
Leonel Álvarez (1999-01)- Adin Brown (2002–04)
- Mike Burns (1996-00)
- José Cancela (2003–06)
Alex Pineda Chacón (2002)
Ousmane Dabo (2011)- Clint Dempsey (2004–06)
Mamadou Diallo (2002)
Raúl Díaz Arce (1998)- Didier Domi (2011)
Andy Dorman (2004–07)
Giuseppe Galderisi (1996)- John Harkes (1999-01)
Wolde Harris (2000–03)- Jay Heaps (2001–09)
Steve Howey (2004)- Zak Ibsen (1996)
Edgaras Jankauskas (2009–10)
Avery John (2004–07)- Alexi Lalas (1996–97)
- Jeff Larentowicz (2005–10)
- Joe-Max Moore (1996–99), (2003–04)
- Pat Noonan (2003–07)
- Michael Parkhurst (2005–08)
- Steve Ralston (2002–10)
Ilija Stolica (2010–11)
William Sunsing (2002–03)- Taylor Twellman (2002–10)
- Andy Williams (2001–02)
- Eric Wynalda (2000–01)
- Walter Zenga (1997–99)
- See also All-time New England Revolution roster
Head coaches
Frank Stapleton (1996)
Thomas Rongen (1997–98)- Walter Zenga (1999)
Steve Nicol (1999), (Interim)- Fernando Clavijo (2000–02)
- Steve Nicol (2002–11)
- Jay Heaps (2012-present)
General Managers
- Brian O'Donovan (1995-00)
- Todd Smith (2001–02)
- Craig Tornberg (2003–08)
- Michael Burns (2011-present)
Achievements
- MLS Supporters' Shield
- Runners-up (1): 2005
- MLS Eastern Conference
- Winners (Regular Season) (2): 2002, 2005
- Winners (Playoff) (4): 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007
- North American SuperLiga
- Winners (1): 2008
- Runners-up (1): 2010
Record
Year-by-year
Year Reg. Season Playoffs Open Cup CONCACAF
Champions' League1996 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.[14]
- Games Played: Jay Heaps (243)
- Games Started: Shalrie Joseph (239)
- Minutes Played: Jay Heaps (21,619)
- Goals: Taylor Twellman(101)
- Assists: Steve Ralston (73)
- Game-Winning Goals: Taylor Twellman (28)
- Game-Winning Assists: Steve Ralston (22)
- Hat Tricks: Taylor Twellman (3)
- Multi-Goal Games: Taylor Twellman (16)
- Penalty-Kick Goals: Shalrie Joseph* (12)
- Games Played In Goal: Matt Reis* (215)
- Games Started In Goal: Matt Reis* (214)
- Minutes Played In Goal: Matt Reis* (19,271)
- Goals Against Average: Matt Reis* (1.32)
- Wins: Matt Reis* (80)
- Saves: Matt Reis* (868)
- Shutouts (clean sheets): Matt Reis* (55)
* Active
- All-Time regular season record: 185–214–93
International tournaments
- 2011 World Football Challenge
-
- Group Stage v. Manchester United -- 1:4
- Group Stage v.
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
References
- ^ "Revolution announces TV and radio schedule for 2006". 2006-03-14. http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=18665&pcid=115.
- ^ Biglin, Mike (November 16, 2007). "MLS Cup 2007: Formula for success". http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x1295538337. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
- ^ Madaio, Bob (February 3, 2010). "The New England Revolution's Steve and Shalrie Show". http://bleacherreport.com/articles/339168-the-new-england-revolutions-steve-and-shalrie-show. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
- ^ Dynamo beat Revolution 2–1 to repeat as MLS champions. Fox Sports. 2007-11-18. http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7462040. Retrieved 2007-11-18
- ^ Major League Soccer Communications (2006-06-14). "Major League Soccer to seek proposals in New England for soccer-specific stadium sites". MLSnet.com. http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20060614&content_id=62400&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp.
- ^ Scott Van Voorhis (2007-08-02). "Revolution's the goal: Somerville talks stadium with Krafts". Boston Herald. http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1014772.
- ^ Andrew Slevison (2010-06-29). "Revs relaunched Somerville stadium plans". Tribal Football. http://www.tribalfootball.com/new-england-revolution-re-launch-somerville-stadium-plans-938301.
- ^ Eric Moskowitz (2010-06-18). "Kick-start for team, city". Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2010/07/18/new_stadium_could_kick_start_revolution_somerville/.
- ^ Joyce Furia (2006-02-07). "Meet the Coach, Meet the Midnight Riders". Soccer New England.
- ^ Sources: Revolution heroes nab unruly plane passenger – BostonHerald.com
- ^ The Associated Press: FBI: Soccer team members help subdue man on flight
- ^ "Revs new TV home is Comcast SportsNet". 2010-03-15. http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=42140&pcid=115.
- ^ http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/players
- ^ http://sdm3.com/index.cfm?n35192s517c3625092t499l32o2101
External links
- Official website
- Midnight Riders Supporters' Club
- The Rebellion Supporters' Club
- RevsNet (Unofficial News Source)
- New England Soccer Today (Unofficial News Source)
- Revolution Recap Weekly Radio Review
New England Revolution Foxborough, Massachusetts The Club Stadiums Culture Midnight Riders • Rev Army • The RebellionRivalries Fire-Revolution rivalryKey Personnel Honors (6)Eastern Conference
Championship (4)2002 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007U.S. Open Cup SuperLiga Seasons (16) 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010• 2011Website: www.revolutionsoccer.net Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Western Conference Chicago Fire · Columbus Crew · D.C. United · Houston Dynamo · New England Revolution · New York Red Bulls · Philadelphia Union · Sporting Kansas City · Toronto FC
Former teams Expansion teams Montreal Impact (2012)
League articles MLS Cup (Playoffs) · Supporters' Shield · All-Star Game · Records and statistics · CONCACAF Champions League · U.S. Open Cup · Canadian Championship · Rivalry cups · Current players · Foreign players · Capped players · Designated Player Rule · Coaches · Drafts · Transfers · MLS Players Union · Attendance · Stadiums · Reserve Division · USSF · CSASeasons Soccer in the United States Overview United States Soccer Federation · League system · History · Hall of Fame · Clubs · Champions · Venues (stadiums by capacity, SSS)Men's national teams Outdoor leagues Indoor leagues Cup competitions Men's college soccer Women's national teams Women's leagues Women's college soccer Defunct Categories:- New England Revolution
- Soccer clubs in the United States
- Association football clubs established in 1995
- Massachusetts soccer clubs
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