1997 New England Revolution season

New England Revolution
1997 season
OwnerRobert Kraft (The Kraft Group)
Head coachThomas Rongen
StadiumFoxboro Stadium
Foxborough, Massachusetts
MLSConference: 4th
Overall: 8th
MLS Cup PlayoffsConference Semifinals
U.S. Open CupThird Round
Highest home attendanceLeague/All: 57,407
(4/20 v. Tampa Bay Mutiny)
Lowest home attendanceLeague: 10,242
(6/01 v. Dallas Burn)
All: 2,031
(7/31 v. Long Island Rough Riders, USOC)
Average home league attendance21,298
Biggest winLeague/All:
New England Revolution 4–2 Tampa Bay Mutiny (7/18)
Biggest defeatLeague/All:
New England Revolution 5–1 San Jose Clash (8/3)

The 1997 New England Revolution season was the second season for the New England Revolution both as a club and in Major League Soccer (MLS). Along with the MLS regular season, the team made their debut in both the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Cup Playoffs, although they failed to advance in either. The season began on March 29 with a 1–0 away win over the Dallas Burn, and concluded with a home shootout loss to D.C. United in the MLS Cup Playoffs on October 8. The 1997 season marked the first season with goalkeeper Walter Zenga, who would later be elevated to player-manager in the 1998 season after the departure of head coach Thomas Rongen.[1]

Transfers

Transfers In

Date Position No. Name From Fee/notes Ref.
February 20 FW 11 Chiquinho Conde Vitoria de Setubal League Allocation [2]
March 4 GK 1 Walter Zenga Calcio Padova League Allocation [2]
March 6 DF 6 Leonardo Squadrone Estudiantes de La Plata League Allocation [2]
March 10 DF 25 Alejandro Farías Boca Juniors Discovery Player [2]
May 9 DF 3 Erik Imler D.C. United Claimed off Waivers [2]
June 5 FW 23 Rob Jachym Columbus Crew Signed [2]
June 5 DF 2 Brian Dunseth Cal State Fullerton Allocated from MLS Project-40 [2]
July 10 MF 11 Evans Wise Tampa Bay Mutiny Trade for Bill Harte [3]
July 16 GK 26 Jeff Causey D.C. United Signed [3]
August 13 FW 33 Giuseppe Galderisi Tampa Bay Mutiny Trade for Chiquinho Conde and Sam George [3]
August 13 MF 7 Ivan McKinley Tampa Bay Mutiny Trade for Chiquinho Conde and Sam George [3]

Transfers Out

Date Position No. Name To Fee/notes Ref.
March 3 MF 6 Geoff Aunger Waived [2]
March 3 MF 13 Mark Watson Waived [2]
March 5 FW - J.T. Roberts Waived [2]
March 10 FW 11 Wélton LA Galaxy Traded for the Galaxy's first-round pick in the 1998 MLS Supplemental Draft [2]
March 10 DF 3 Iain Fraser Waived [2]
March 10 GK 32 Aidan Heaney Waived [2]
March 10 GK 8 Peter Woodring Waived [2]
March 17 MF 14 John DeBrito Waived [2]
April 15 FW 24 Patrick Olalere Waived [2]
May 7 FW 19 Steve Klein Waived [2]
May 28 DF 9 Kevin Wylie Waived [2]
June 24 DF 17 Greg Lalas Waived [2]
July 10 DF 2 Bill Harte Tampa Bay Mutiny Traded in exchange for Evans Wise [3]
August 13 FW 22 Chiquinho Conde Tampa Bay Mutiny Traded in exchange for Giuseppe Galderisi and Ivan McKinley [3]
August 13 MF 14 Sam George Tampa Bay Mutiny Traded in exchange for Giuseppe Galderisi and Ivan McKinley [3]
November 6 DF 20 Francis Okaroh Chicago Fire Claimed in the 7th round of the 1997 MLS Expansion Draft [3]
November 13 MF 25 Alejandro Farías Waived [3]
November 13 FW 33 Giuseppe Galderisi Waived [3]
November 13 MF 3 Erik Imler Waived [3]
November 13 FW 9 John Kerr Jr. Waived [3]
November 13 MF 7 Darren Sawatzky Waived [3]

Draft results

College draft

The Revolution traded their first-round pick to the Tampa Bay Mutiny in exchange for the singing of former Mutiny coach Thomas Rongen.[4] In addition, the team acquired an additional third-round pick and a first-round selection (#3) in the 1997 MLS Supplemental Draft from the Dallas Burn in exchange for a first-round selection (#2) in the 1997 Supplemental Draft. [5]

On February 2, 1997, the Revolution selected Scott Coufal, Steve Klein, and J.T. Roberts in the College Draft. On March 6, 1997, the Revolution waived Roberts.[6]

New England Revolution – 1997 MLS College Draft
Round Overall Name Position Previous Club
2 12 Scott Coufal GK Indiana University
3 22 Steve Klein M Bowling Green State University
3 26 J.T. Roberts M Northern Kentucky University

Supplemental draft

On February 2, 1997, the Revolution drafted Bill Harte, Patrick Olalere, and Sam George in the MLS Supplemental Draft.

New England Revolution – 1997 MLS Supplemental Draft
Round Overall Name Position Previous Club
1 3 Bill Harte D Loyola University, Baltimore Spirit
2 12 Patrick Olalere F Carson-Newman, California Jaguars
3 22 Sam George M UCLA, Anaheim Splash

Club

Team Management

Position Staff
General Manager Brian O'Donovan
Head Coach Thomas Rongen

Source: [1]

Roster

All listed players made appearances in MLS regular season play.[7]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
4 DF  USA Mike Burns
5 DF  USA Ted Chronopoulos
22 DF  USA Alexi Lalas
20 DF  NGA Francis Okaroh
10 DF  ARG Beto Naveda
8 MF  USA Imad Baba
25 DF  ARG Alejandro Farías
6 DF  ARG Leonardo Squadrone
1 GK  ITA Walter Zenga
11 FW  MOZ Chiquinho Conde
9 FW  USA John Kerr Jr.
12 FW  USA Joe-Max Moore
14 MF  USA Sam George
3 DF  USA Erik Imler
11 DF  TRI Evans Wise
7 DF  RSA Ivan McKinley
No. Pos. Nation Player
33 FW  ITA Giuseppe Galderisi
26 GK  USA Jeff Causey
7 FW  USA Darren Sawatzky
18 FW  IRL Paul Keegan
27 GK  USA Scott Coufal
2 DF  USA Bill Harte
2 DF  USA Brian Dunseth
23 FW  USA Rob Jachym
19 MF  USA Steve Klein
9 DF  USA Kevin Wylie
24 FW  NGA Patrick Olalere
17 DF  USA Greg Lalas

Non-competitive

Preseason

The Revolution played six pre-season matches and had a 3-2-1 record.

Matches

January 11 Friendly New England Revolution 1–0 Raleigh Flyers
  • Darren Sawatzky
Report
February 26[a] Friendly New England Revolution 0–2 Dallas Burn Pensacola, Florida
Report Stadium: Pensacola Sports Complex
February 28 Friendly New England Revolution v Colombus Crew
March 10 Friendly New England Revolution 3–1 Kansas City Wizards Bradenton, Florida
Report
March 12 Friendly New England Revolution 5–0 Daytona Beach Sandsharks
Report

Mid-season friendlies

Matches

July 23 Friendly New England Revolution 0–1 Palmeiras Foxborough, Massachusetts
Report
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium
Attendance: 19,623

Competitive

Major League Soccer

Conference standings

Pos Team Pld W SOW L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 D.C. United 32 17 4 11 70 53 +17 55 MLS Cup Playoffs
2 Tampa Bay Mutiny 32 14 3 15 55 60 −5 45
3 Columbus Crew 32 12 3 17 42 41 +1 39
4 New England Revolution 32 11 4 17 40 53 −13 37
5 NY/NJ MetroStars 32 11 2 19 43 53 −10 35
Source: MLS

Overall standings

Pos Team Pld W SOW L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 D.C. United (C, S) 32 17 4 11 70 53 +17 55 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
2 Kansas City Wizards 32 14 7 11 57 51 +6 49
3 Tampa Bay Mutiny 32 14 3 15 55 60 −5 45
4 Los Angeles Galaxy 32 14 2 16 55 44 +11 44
5 Dallas Burn 32 13 3 16 55 49 +6 42
6 Columbus Crew 32 12 3 17 42 41 +1 39
7 Colorado Rapids 32 12 2 18 50 59 −9 38 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
8 New England Revolution 32 11 4 17 40 53 −13 37
9 NY/NJ MetroStars 32 11 2 19 43 53 −10 35
10 San Jose Clash 32 9 3 20 55 59 −4 30
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) goal difference; 4) number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (S) Supporters' Shield

Matches

March 29 1 Dallas Burn 0–1 New England Revolution Dallas
Report
Stadium: Cotton Bowl
Attendance: 11,063
Referee: Raul Dominguez
May 3 6 New England Revolution 2–1 Kansas City Wizards Foxborough
Report
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium
Attendance: 15,075
Referee: Rich Grady
May 9 7 New England Revolution 0–2 Columbus Crew Foxborough
Report Stadium: Foxboro Stadium
Attendance: 13,168
Referee: John Weselak
May 24 10 Colorado Rapids 1–2 New England Revolution Denver
Report
Stadium: Mile High Stadium
Attendance: 9,452
Referee: Tim Weyland
June 1 12 New England Revolution 3–1 Dallas Burn Foxborough
Report
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium
Attendance: 10,242
Referee: Tim Weyland
June 14 14 New England Revolution 0–1 D.C. United Foxborough
Report
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium
Attendance: 26,313
Referee: Raul Dominguez
July 4 16 LA Galaxy 2–0 New England Revolution Pasadena
Report Stadium: Rose Bowl
Attendance: 51,704
Referee: Ali Saheli
July 6 17 San Jose Clash 3–2 New England Revolution San Jose
Report
Stadium: Spartan Stadium
Attendance: 11,753
Referee: John Weselak
July 12 18 New England Revolution 2–0 Kansas City Wizards Foxborough
Report
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium
Attendance: 21,817
Referee: Tim Weyland
July 20 20 Columbus Crew 1–0 New England Revolution Columbus
Report Stadium: Ohio Stadium
Attendance: 14,248
Referee: Raul Dominguez
August 3 22 New England Revolution 1–5 San Jose Clash Foxborough
Report
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium
Attendance: 22,673
Referee: Joshua Patlak
August 14 25 Columbus Crew 2–1 New England Revolution Columbus
Report Stadium: Ohio Stadium
Attendance: 15,718
Referee: Marcel Yonan
September 9 28 NY/NJ MetroStars 3–1 New England Revolution East Rutherford
Report
Stadium: Giants Stadium
Attendance: 10,510
Referee: Noel Kenny
September 12 29 New England Revolution 1–0 Columbus Crew Foxborough
Report Stadium: Foxboro Stadium
Attendance: 21,619
Referee: Ted Covaciu
September 25 31 Dallas Burn 1–2 New England Revolution Dallas
Report
Stadium: Cotton Bowl
Attendance: 6,897
Referee: Brian Hall

MLS Cup Playoffs

The Revolution qualified for their first ever MLS Cup Playoffs and faced off against reigning champions D.C. United in a best-of-three matches. The team failed to secure a win in either match. It would take until the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2000 before the Revolution would appear in a playoff match again, and until the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2002 before they would advance in a playoff match-up.

Matches

October 5 Game 1 D.C. United 4–1 New England Revolution Washington, D.C.
Wegerle 13', 56'
Moreno 65', 76'
Burns 89' Stadium: RFK Stadium
Attendance: 12,540
Referee: Tim Weyland

D.C. United win the series 2–0.

U.S. Open Cup

The Revolution made their U.S. Open Cup debut after declining to participate in the 1996 edition. They exited in the Third Round after a 4-3 loss in sudden death extra time, to the Long Island Rough Riders.

Matches

July 31 Third Round New England Revolution 3–4 (asdet) Long Island Rough Riders (A-League) Foxborough, Massachusetts
6:00 PM
Attendance: 2,031
Referee: Ruben Rodhas

Honors

New England Revolution – 1997 League and Team Awards
Honor Name
Revolution Team Most Valuable Player Walter Zenga[9]
Revolution Team Scoring Champion Alberto Naveda (20pts; 7g, 6a)[9]
Revolution Team Defender of the Year Francis Okaroh[9]
MLS All-Stars Alexi Lalas, Ted Chronopoulos, Walter Zenga[9]
MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Walter Zenga (finalist)[9]
MLS Player of the Month Walter Zenga (September)[9]
MLS Player of the Month Chiquinho Conde (Week 10), Alberto Naveda (Week 11)[9]

Notes

  1. ^ The friendly match against Dallas was originally scheduled for February 25, but was postponsed.[8]

References

  1. ^ "It's One Way to Start a Revolution". Soccer America. August 30, 1998. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "2023 Media Guide: Coach and Player Registry" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "2023 Media Guide: Coach and Player Registry" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  4. ^ "MLS: Mutiny trade Hattrup to Dallas". Soccer America. January 31, 1997. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  5. ^ "MLS: 1997 Collegiate Draft Results (Feb. 2)". Soccer America. February 2, 1997. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  6. ^ "March 6, 1997 Transactions". Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  7. ^ "1997 New England Revolution Stats". Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  8. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-moore-injury-a-warning/143821996/
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "2018 New England Revolution Media Guide – Stats and Records" (PDF). pp. 1–2. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.