Know Your Foe: New England Revolution

Charlotte FC will be playing against their third original MLS team in four games in the matchup against New England Revolution. 

Here is everything you need to know about our foe: 

History 

Robert Kraft, also owner of the New England Patriots, became the founding investor/operator for the New England Revolution in the Major League Soccer’s inaugural season in 1996. The club didn’t have the start it wanted, being one of only two teams out ten who missed the playoffs in that first year. 

In those early days, the Revolution averaged an impressive 15,000 fans per match despite the poor the results. Between 1996 to 2001, the Revs went through different players and coaches, but nothing seemed to click. 

They did manage to reach the U.S. Open Cup final in 2001, but lost to the L.A. Galaxy, a sign of what was to come... 

In 2002, the Revolution hired Liverpool great Steve Nicols as their head coach who led them to one of their most successful periods. He immediately made an impact, guiding the team to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference and reaching the MLS Cup Final but losing once against the Galaxy. 

In the Nicol era which spanned from 2002 to 2011, New England earned a playoff berth for a record eight consecutive seasons. The first six of those berths resulted in a Conference final appearance or better. 

Their best run of form under Nicols was from 2005 – 2007 when they reached three consecutive MLS Cup Final appearances but gut-wrenchingly lost in all three. They didn’t go completely trophyless during that streak, however, they won the U.S. Open Cup defeating FC Dallas.  

The Revolution didn’t see much success the following years until they made playoffs in 2013 and made another MLS Cup Final run in 2014. They breezed through the playoffs but almost as if they were cursed, the Revolution once again lost in the final to a familiar foe, the Galaxy.

Fast forward to 2019, after continuous disappointing seasons, New England hires Bruce Arena, the most successful coach in MLS history. 

They made the first round of playoffs in first year, the following year in 2020 they lost in the Eastern Conference final against the eventual MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew, and last year they broke the all-time total points record in a regular season with 73, winning the Supporter’s Shield.

Current

The Revolution have started the 2022 season with a little bit of everything. They drew in their opener, won their second game, and most recently lost their match against Real Salt Lake after being up 2 – 0 for most of the game.

As the 2021 Supporter’s Shield winners, they qualified for CONCACAF Champions League, and so they’ve had to balance the extra load of games. Rotating players and dealing with the physical strain it can have, especially in the early stages of the season when teams are still trying to reach their peak fitness.

Just this past Wednesday, the Revolution traveled to Mexico for the second round of their match up against Pumas UNAM. It was monumental collapse for the Revolution as they threw a 3 - 0 aggregate lead and were eliminated from CCL.

Key Players

Carles Gil: The 2021 MLS MVP, Gil, is a major reason for New England’s recent success. No one more created more scoring opportunities than he did last season. He’s picked up where he left off last season, scoring one goal and assisting three in four games through all competitions this year.

Adam Buksa: The Revolution are spoiled for choices at striker with Gustavo Bou, Jozy Altidore, and Adam Buksa. The Polish international was the Revolution’s highest goal scorer last season with 16 goals and so far this season has scored two goals and assisted another two.

Dejuan Jones: A college product, Jones has improved with every year he’s been in MLS. We are seeing the best version of the left back this season; a complete fullback that can effect the game on both offense and defense.