1998 New England Revolution season
| 1998 season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Robert Kraft (The Kraft Group) |
| Head coach | Thomas Rongen (until August 24) Walter Zenga (from August 24, player/coach from October 28) |
| Stadium | Foxboro Stadium Foxborough, Massachusetts |
| MLS | Conference: 6th Overall: 12th |
| Top goalscorer | League: Raul Diaz Arce (18G) All: Raul Diaz Arce (18G) |
| Highest home attendance | 35,462 |
| Lowest home attendance | 13,074 |
| Average home league attendance | 19,188 |
| Biggest win | 3–0 (v. Miami April 25th) |
| Biggest defeat | 6–1 (v. Columbus August 8th) |
The 1998 New England Revolution season was the third season for the New England Revolution both as a club and in Major League Soccer (MLS). As the club did not participate in the 1998 U.S. Open Cup, and did not qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, they participated only in the MLS regular season.[1]
Summary
After qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in club history in 1997, the Revolution entered the season with a "vastly improved"[2] roster preparing for 1998; adding Richard Goulooze from SC Cambuur,[3] U.S. international Janusz Michallik,[3] and then completing the first three-team trade in league history to land 1997 MLS All-star and El Salvadorian international striker Raul Diaz Arce from D.C. United (infuriating D.C. United fans in the process).[4][5] The move would also see original league-allocation see Alexi Lalas depart the club.[6]
Regardless of these moves, the Revolution struggled through much of the season; losing their first three matches out of the gate,[7] and recording a 9-match winless streak throughout the months of May and June.[8] Additionally contributing to on-field issues was the absence of head coach Thomas Rongen, and players Joe-Max Moore and Mike Burns, who all missed substantial time at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.[3][8][9] Following heavy defeats to the Columbus Crew (6-1)[10] and LA Galaxy (5-1)[11] Thomas Rongen was fired on August 24.[3] When asked about his struggles in New England, Rongen referenced "cancers" in the locker room that undermined team performance in 1998, and stated "a lot of things happened behind the scenes that I didn't know about until it was too late," adding that "there were different factions where players didn't know who to trust anymore.[12] Walter Zenga would take over as Revolution manager for the remainder of the season,[13] concluding with a 3-3 to conclude the season.[8]
Transfers
Transfers In
| New England Revolution – 1998 Transfers In | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Name | Fee | Position | Previous Club |
| January 26, 1998 | Janusz Michallik | ??? | DEF | Columbus Crew |
| January 26, 1998 | Richard Goulooze | Undisclosed[14] | DEF | SC Cambuur |
| February 3, 1998 | Carlos Rocha | Undisclosed | FW | Rhode Island Stingrays |
| February 5, 1998 | Raul Diaz Arce | Trade[1] | FW | D.C. United |
| February 23, 1998 | Edwin Gorter | Undisclosed | MF | NAC Breda |
| February 25, 1998 | Jamar Beasley | League Allocation[15][3] | FW | MLS Project 40 |
| February 26, 1998 | David Nakhid | Undisclosed | MF | Al Ansar FC |
| March 24, 1998 | Ian Feuer | Undisclosed | GK | Luton Town F.C. |
| April 8, 1998 | Jair | Undisclosed[14] | MF | PFC CSKA Sofia |
| May 21, 1998 | Manny Motajo | ??? | DF | ??? |
| May 21, 1998 | Tom McLaughlin | ??? | FW | ??? |
| May 26, 1998 | Oscar Pareja | League Allocation[3] | MF | Deportivo Cali |
| August 15, 1998 | Damian | Trade [2][16] | FW | Dallas Burn |
| November 2, 1998 | Shawn Medved | MLS Waiver Draft[17] | MF | San Jose Clash |
| November 2, 1998 | Kris Kelderman | MLS Waiver Draft[18] | MF | Miami Fusion |
Draft results
College draft
On January 31, 1998, the Revolution drafted Johnny Torres, Jesse Van Saun, Kevin Coye, and Tom McLaughlin in the 1998 MLS College Draft.[19]
| New England Revolution – 1998 MLS College Draft | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Overall | Name | Position | Previous Club |
| 1 | 5 | Johnny Torres | M | Creighton University |
| 2 | 17 | Jesse Van Saun | M | St. John's University |
| 3 | 29 | Kevin Coye | D | UCLA |
| 3 | 36 | Tom McLaughlin | F | Harvard University |
Supplemental draft
On February 1, 1998, the Revolution drafted Dahir Mohammed, Doug Neely, and Dave Salzwedel in the MLS Supplemental Draft.[20]
Additionally, the Dallas Burn drafted Revolution player Darren Sawatzky in the 3rd round as the 34th overall pick.[20]
| New England Revolution – 1998 MLS Supplemental Draft | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Overall | Name | Position | Previous Club |
| 1 | 5 | Dahir Mohammed | D | C.W. Post College, Long Island Rough Riders |
| 2 | 17 | Doug Neely | M | Chapman University, Anaheim Splash |
| 3 | 29 | Dave Salzwedel | GK | Cal Lutheran, San Jose Clash |
Transfers Out
| New England Revolution – 1998 Transfers Out | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Name | Left Via | Position | Destination Club |
| January 15, 1998 | Walter Zenga | Retirement | GK | N/A |
| February 5, 1998 | Alexi Lalas | Trade[3] | DF | NY/NJ MetroStars |
| February 17, 1998 | Steve Klein | Waived | FW | Nashville Metros |
| February 17, 1998 | Dave Salzwedel | Released | GK | N/A |
| May 28, 1998 | Rob Jachym | Released | FW | Worcester Wildfire |
| June 3, 1998 | Evans Wise | Waived | MF | Tampa Bay Mutiny |
| June 8, 1998 | Kevin Coye | Waived | DF | Orange County Zodiac |
| June 29, 1998 | Tom McLaughlin | Waived | FW | Worcester Wildfire |
| August 15, 1998 | Oscar Pareja | Trade[4] | MF | Dallas Burn |
| October 31, 1998 | Janusz Michallik | Waived | DF | N/A |
| October 31, 1998 | Dahir Mohammed | Waived | DF | Staten Island Vipers |
| October 31, 1998 | David Nakhid | Waived | MF | Malmö FF |
- 1.^ On February 5, 1998, New England acquired striker Raul Diaz Arce from D.C. United in exchange for Defender Alexi Lalas and a second-round pick in the 1999 MLS College Draft, which were then traded to the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, with the MetroStars’ second-round pick in the 1999 MLS College Draft and future considerations sent to D.C. United along with New England’s first-round pick in the 1999 MLS College Draft.[3]
- 2.^ On August 15, 1998, the Revolution acquired forward Damian from the Dallas Burn in exchange for midfielder Oscar Pareja.[3]
Club
Team Management
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| General Manager | Brian O'Donovan |
| Head Coach | Thomas Rongen[5] |
| Assistant Coach | Renato Capobianco[6] |
| Assistant Coach | Richard Williams[7] |
| Head Coach | Walter Zenga |
| Assistant Coach | Sid Mazzola |
Source: [8]
- 3.^ On August 24, 1998 The Revolution announced the resignation of head coach Thomas Rongen, as well as assistant coaches Renato Capobianco and Richard Williams. The same day, The Revolution named Walter Zenga head coach, and Sid Mazzola assistant coach.[3]
Roster
Adapted from 2024 New England Revolution Media Guide (pg. 309)[1]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Honors
Adopted from 2024 Revolution Media Guide (pg. 324 - 328)[1]
| New England Revolution – 1998 League and Team Awards | |
|---|---|
| Award | Recipient(s) |
| MLS All-Stars | Mike Burns, Raul Diaz Arce |
| Revolution Most Valuable Player | Joe-Max Moore |
| Revolution Defender of the Year | Mike Burns |
| Revolution Scoring Champion | Raul Diaz Arce |
| New England Revolution – 1998 Statistical Leaders | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Recipient(s) | Figures |
| Games Played | Raul Diaz Arce | 32 |
| Games Started | Raul Diaz Arce | 32 |
| Minutes Played | Raul Diaz Arce | 2,878 |
| Goals Scored | Raul Diaz Arce | 18 |
| Assists | Joe-Max Moore | 15 |
| Shots | Raul Diaz Arce | 90 |
| Shots on Goal | Raul Diaz Arce | 51 |
Competitive
Major League Soccer
Conference standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | SOW | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D.C. United | 32 | 17 | 7 | 8 | 74 | 48 | +26 | 58 | MLS Cup Playoffs |
| 2 | Columbus Crew | 32 | 15 | 0 | 17 | 67 | 56 | +11 | 45 | |
| 3 | MetroStars | 32 | 12 | 3 | 17 | 54 | 63 | −9 | 39 | |
| 4 | Miami Fusion | 32 | 10 | 5 | 17 | 46 | 68 | −22 | 35 | |
| 5 | Tampa Bay Mutiny | 32 | 11 | 1 | 20 | 46 | 57 | −11 | 34 | |
| 6 | New England Revolution | 32 | 9 | 2 | 21 | 53 | 66 | −13 | 29 |
Source: MLS
Overall standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | SOW | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles Galaxy (S) | 32 | 22 | 2 | 8 | 85 | 44 | +41 | 68 | CONCACAF Champions' Cup |
| 2 | D.C. United | 32 | 17 | 7 | 8 | 74 | 48 | +26 | 58 | |
| 3 | Chicago Fire (C) | 32 | 18 | 2 | 12 | 62 | 45 | +17 | 56 | |
| 4 | Columbus Crew | 32 | 15 | 0 | 17 | 67 | 56 | +11 | 45 | |
| 5 | Colorado Rapids | 32 | 14 | 2 | 16 | 62 | 69 | −7 | 44 | |
| 6 | MetroStars | 32 | 12 | 3 | 17 | 54 | 63 | −9 | 39 | |
| 7 | Dallas Burn | 32 | 11 | 4 | 17 | 43 | 59 | −16 | 37 | |
| 8 | Miami Fusion | 32 | 10 | 5 | 17 | 46 | 68 | −22 | 35 | |
| 9 | Tampa Bay Mutiny | 32 | 11 | 1 | 20 | 46 | 57 | −11 | 34 | |
| 10 | San Jose Clash | 32 | 10 | 3 | 19 | 48 | 60 | −12 | 33 | |
| 11 | Kansas City Wizards | 32 | 10 | 2 | 20 | 45 | 50 | −5 | 32 | |
| 12 | New England Revolution | 32 | 9 | 2 | 21 | 53 | 66 | −13 | 29 |
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
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) goal difference; 4) number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (S) Supporters' Shield
Non-competitive
Facing financial difficulties ($100 million in debt) S.L. Benfica embarked on a U.S. tour in 1998.[21] As part of this tour, Benfica played a friendly against the Revolution on June 11, 1998.[22] It was Benfica's first match at Foxboro Stadium since 1972.[22] The match marked Oscar Pareja's Revolution debut, and outdrew several 1998 World Cup matches.[22]
| June 11, 1998 | New England Revolution | 1-2 | S.L. Benfica | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 35,136[21] Referee: Alberto Giordano |
MLS Regular season
| March 29, 1998 1 | DC United | 1–1 | New England Revolution | Washington DC |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: RFK Stadium Attendance: 22,263 Referee: Noel Kenny Assistant referees: George Vergara, Lorenzo Sanz Fourth official: Kenneth Kapla |
| April 4, 1998 2 | Miami Fusion | 2–1 | New England Revolution | Fort Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Lockhart Stadium Attendance: 11,132 Referee: Ted Covaciu |
| April 11, 1998 3 | Columbus Crew | 3–2 | New England Revolution | Columbus, Ohio |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Ohio Stadium Attendance: 10,121 Referee: Richard Heron |
| April 18, 1998 4 | New England Revolution | 1–1 (3–2 p) | D.C. United | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 24,133 Referee: Kevin Stott |
| April 25, 1998 5 | New England Revolution | 3–0 | Miami Fusion | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 15,326 Referee: Alex Prus |
| May 3, 1998 6 | San Jose Clash | 1–3 | New England Revolution | Kansas City, Missouri |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium Attendance: 13,563 Referee: Paul Tamberino |
| May 10, 1998 7 | New England Revolution | 4–3 | Tampa Bay Mutiny | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 14,723 Referee: Ruben Rodhas |
| May 13, 1998 8 | D.C. United | 3–2 | New England Revolution | |
|
Report |
|
Attendance: 14,442 Referee: Michael Kennedy |
| May 16, 1998 9 | New England Revolution | 1–3 | Kansas City Wizards | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 20,613 Referee: Esse Baharmast |
| May 22, 1998 10 | New England Revolution | 0–2 | Columbus Crew | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 14,302 Referee: Noel Kenny |
| May 31, 1998 11 | New England Revolution | 1–1 (2–3 p) | MetroStars | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Referee: 18,692 |
| June 7, 1998 12 | LA Galaxy | 5–1 | New England Revolution | Pasadena, California |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Rose Bowl Attendance: 38,383 Referee: Ricardo Valenzuela |
| June 14, 1998 13 | New England Revolution | 1–3 | Chicago Fire | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 17,054 Referee: Tim Weyland |
| June 24, 1998 14 | MetroStars | 5–3 | New England Revolution | |
|
Report |
|
Attendance: 10,310 Referee: Refugio Ramirez |
| June 27, 1998 15 | New England Revolution | 3–3 (2–4 p) | Dallas Burn | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 18,206 Referee: Ruben Rodhas |
| July 1, 1998 16 | Kansas City Wizards | 0–1 | New England Revolution | Kansas City, Missouri |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium Referee: Marcel Yonan |
| July 4, 1998 17 | Tampa Bay Mutiny | 2–3 | New England Revolution | Tampa, Florida |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Houlihan's Stadium Attendance: 22,704 Referee: Ruben Rodhas |
| July 11, 1998 18 | Colorado Rapids | 2–1 | New England Revolution | Denver, Colorado |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Mile High Stadium Attendance: 8,996 |
| July 15, 1998 19 | New England Revolution | 0–1 | D.C. United | Foxborough Stadium |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 17,206 Referee: Noel Kenny |
| July 18, 1998 20 | Dallas Burn | 1–3 | New England Revolution | Dallas, Texas |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Cotton Bowl Attendance: 10,073 Referee: Rich Grady |
| July 26, 1998 21 | New England Revolution | 1–2 | Miami Fusion | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 18,337 Referee: Alex Prus |
| July 29, 1998 22 | New England Revolution | 1–3 | Colorado Rapids | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 13,074 Referee: Ali Saheli |
| August 5, 1998 23 | San Jose Clash | 0–3 | New England Revolution | |
|
Report |
|
Attendance: 14,163 Referee: Robert Sheker |
| August 8, 1998 24 | Columbus Crew | 6–1 | New England Revolution | Columbus, Ohio |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Ohio Stadium Referee: Michael Kennedy |
| August 14, 1998 25 | Tampa Bay Mutiny | 1–1 (2–3 p) | New England Revolution | |
|
Report |
|
Attendance: 8,429 |
| August 22, 1998 26 | New England Revolution | 1–5 | LA Galaxy | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 24,143 Referee: Kevin Terry |
| August 30, 1998 27 | Miami Fusion | 3–2 | New England Revolution | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Lockhart Stadium Referee: Brian Hall |
| September 2, 1998 28 | MetroStars | 0–2 | New England Revolution | |
|
Report |
|
Attendance: 10,826 |
| September 12, 1998 29 | New England Revolution | 2–0 | Columbus Crew | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report | Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 35,462 Referee: Jose Manual Garcia Aranda |
| September 19, 1998 30 | New England Revolution | 3–0 | Tampa Bay Mutiny | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 16,807 Referee: Kevin Stott |
| September 23, 1998 31 | Chicago Fire | 3–2 | New England Revolution | Chicago, Illinois |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Soldier Field Attendance: 11,244 Referee: Michael Kennedy |
| September 26, 1998 32 | New England Revolution | 0–0 (2–4 p) | MetroStars | Foxborough, Massaschusetts |
| Report | Stadium: Foxboro Stadium Attendance: 24,763 Referee: Alberto Giordano |
Miscellany
- As of 2025, the Revolution have finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference Table on three occasions (1996, 1998, and 2011) but the 1998 season is the only season in which they have finished at the foot of the MLS table, thus winning the MLS Wooden Spoon.[1]
- Despite poor on-field results, the Revolution had the second-highest attendance in Major League Soccer in 1998 (19,188),[23] a figure down slightly from their league-leading mark of 21,298 in 1997.[7]
- Raúl Díaz Arce's 18 goals (T3-highest in the league)[23] was the most a Revolution player scored in a single season throughout the team's first three years of league play.[1] That record would stand until it was broken by Taylor Twellman in 2002.[24] Arce's single-season tally remains the 2nd highest in Revolution history, only matched by Lee Nguyen in 2014.[1]
- The Revolution conceded a league-leading 4 hat-tricks in 1998.
- Walter Zenga was officially named the league's first-ever player/coach on October 28, 1998.[25]
References
- ^ a b c d e f 2024 Media Guide. New England Revolution. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
- ^ Chapman, Doug; Service, New England Sports (March 27, 1998). "Revolution now bear the mark of their coach". SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ Constable, Pamela; Kuhns, Will (April 2, 1998). "WITH DIAZ ARCE GONE, UNITED FANS ARE DIVIDED". Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "2018 New York Red Bulls Media Guide". Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Chapman, Doug; Service, New England Sports (February 5, 1998). "Revs deal Lalas for top MLS scorer". SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ a b Barker, Bud; Service, New England Sports (May 10, 1998). "Revs look to rebound from key players lost". SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c "1998". Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Cowles, Chris; Service, New England Sports (May 6, 1998). "Moore, Burns named to U.S. World Cup team". SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ "UNLIKELY TO BE ANY REVOLUTION IN NEW ENGLAND". Hartford Courant. August 9, 1998. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Grahame L. (August 23, 1998). "Galaxy Beats Troubled Revolution, 5-1". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Rusnak, Jeff (August 30, 1998). "Revolution's Rongen Undone By Players". Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Grahame L. (August 30, 1998). "It's One Way to Start a Revolution". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ a b Chapman, Doug; Service, New England Sports (February 4, 1998). "Goulooze comes to America". SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Wahl, Grant (April 13, 1998). "Inside Soccer". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ "MLS: Revs, Burn swap foreigners before trading deadline". August 16, 1998. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Goff, Steven (November 3, 1998). "UNITED NARROWS SEARCH FOR COACH, HOPES TO HIRE BY NEXT WEEK". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ "FUSION PASSES ON WAIVER DRAFT; MARTINEZ, KELDERMAN PICKED". Sun Sentinel. November 3, 1998. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ "1998 MLS College Draft". mlssoccer. January 31, 1998. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ a b "1998 MLS Supplemental Draft". mlssoccer. February 1, 1998. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ a b "Old world beats new". SouthCoastToday.com. June 12, 1998. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c "June 11, 1998 – Revolution 1:2 Benfica, Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 35,136)". Frank Dell'Apa. June 11, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ a b "1998 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. December 16, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ "SOCCER RECAP -". ESPN.com. September 14, 2002. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ Szostak, Mike; Service, New England Sports (October 29, 1998). "Revs name Zenga player-coach". SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.