2008 New England Revolution season
| 2008 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Robert Kraft | ||
| Head coach | Steve Nicol | ||
| MLS | Conference: 3rd Overall: 5th | ||
| MLS Cup Playoffs | Conference Semifinals | ||
| U.S. Open Cup | Semifinals | ||
| Superliga | Champions | ||
| Champions League | Preliminary round | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Ralston (8) All: Ralston (9) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 17,580 (regular season)[1] 5,221 (playoffs) | ||
|
| |||
The 2008 New England Revolution season was the thirteenth season of the team's existence. The regular season began on March 29, 2008, with a 3–0 win over the Houston Dynamo and ended on November 6 with a 3–0 playoff loss to the Chicago Fire.
Background
After losing a third straight MLS Cup final in 2007, the Revs began the 2008 season with high hopes. For the first time in team history, New England participated in four different competitions during the regular season. Their 2007 U.S. Open Cup had qualified them for the preliminary round of the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League, and their top-four finish qualified them for the 2008 North American SuperLiga. The Revs also played matches in the 2008 Open Cup and the 2008 regular season.
Review
The club started the season well, reaching their July league-fixture recess at the top of the overall MLS table. This early-season success continued in the 2008 SuperLiga, which the club won on August 5, 2008, by beating their 2-time MLS Cup rival the Houston Dynamo on penalties.[2] Injuries, fatigue, and fixture congestion eventually caught up with the Revs, however, and the team performed poorly after returning to MLS league play. In an effort to spell his regular starters, coach Steve Nicol started mostly reserves in an Open Cup semifinal against D.C. United. The Revs lost the match, and Nicol was widely criticized for the decision. The Revolution also crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions League, losing to regional minnows Joe Public FC of Trinidad and Tobago 6-1 on aggregate, including an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Gillette Stadium.
Mostly on the strength of their hot start, the Revolution managed to make the playoffs. They were unable to advance, however, as they drew 0–0 at home and lost 3–0 away to the Chicago Fire.[3]
Squad
Adapted from 2024 New England Revolution Media Guide (pg. 236)[4]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Transfers In
| New England Revolution – 2008 Transfers In | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Nationality | Position | Date | Method | Fee | Prior Club | Reference |
| Chris Albright | DF | January 18 | "Acquired" | see note[1] | LA Galaxy | [5] | |
| Rob Valentino | DF | January 18 | 2008 MLS SuperDraft | N/A | San Jose Frogs | [5] | |
| Mike Videira | MF | January 18 | 2008 MLS SuperDraft | N/A | Cary RailHawks U23's | [5] | |
| Joe Germanese | DF | January 18 | 2008 MLS SuperDraft | N/A | Cary RailHawks U23's | [5] | |
| Matthew Britner | DF | January 18 | 2008 MLS SuperDraft | N/A | Brown Bears | [5] | |
| Spencer Wadsworth | MF | January 18 | 2008 MLS SuperDraft | N/A | Duke University | [5] | |
| Kheli Dube | FW | January 24 | 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft | N/A | Michigan Bucks | [5] | |
| Chris Tierney | DF | January 24 | 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft | N/A | Virginia Cavaliers men's soccer | [5] | |
| Kyle Altman | MF | January 24 | 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft | N/A | DFW Tornados | [5] | |
| Saidi Isaac | ?? | FW | January 24 | 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft | N/A | Winthrop Eagles | [5] |
| Mauricio Castro | MF | February 18 | Transfer | Undisclosed | Olimipia | [5] | |
| Argenis Fernandez | FW | March 11 | Transfer | Undisclosed | Santos de Guapiles | [5] | |
| Chase Hilgenbrinck | DF | March 28 | Free Agent | N/A | Ñublense | [5] | |
| Pat Phelan | MF | June 4 | Trade | See note[2] | Toronto FC | [5] | |
| Gabriel Badilla | DF | August 18 | Transfer | Undisclosed | Deportivo Saprissa | [5] | |
Transfers Out
| New England Revolution – 2008 Transfers Out | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Nationality | Position | Date | Method | Fee | Next Club | Reference |
| Andy Dorman | MF | January 3 | Transfer | Undisclosed | St Mirren F.C. | [5] | |
| Pat Noonan | FW | January 24 | Transfer | Undisclosed[3] | Aalesunds FK | [5] | |
| Joe Franchino | MF | April 18 | Trade | See note[4] | LA Galaxy | [5] | |
| Chase Hilgenbrinck | DF | July 14 | Retired | N/A | N/A | [5] | |
| Adam Cristman | FW | November 24 | Trade | See note[5] | Kansas City Wizards | [5] | |
| Khano Smith | MF | November 26 | 2008 MLS Expansion Draft | N/A | New York Red Bulls | [5] | |
| Doug Warren | GK | November 26 | Waived | N/A | N/A | [5] | |
| Jose Angulo | FW | November 26 | Waived | N/A | Newark Ironbound Express | [5] | |
| Michael Parkhurst | DF | December 9 | Transferred | Undisclosed | FC Nordsjælland | [5] | |
Notes
- .^ Albright was acquired from the LA Galaxy in exchange for allocation money.
- .^ On June 4, the Revolution acquired Pat Phelan from Toronto FC in exchange for roster considerations.
- .^ The Revolution traded Franchino to the LA Galaxy for a second round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.
- .^ The Revolution traded Adam Cristman to the Kansas City Wizards in exchange for allocation money and a third-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.
- .^ On August 6 Pat Noonan re-signed with MLS and was traded to the Columbus Crew in exchange for allocation money, the Crew’s natural first-round selection in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft and allocation table considerations.
Honors
Adapted from 2024 Media Guide (pg. 326–328)[4]
| New England Revolution – 2008 League and team awards | |
|---|---|
| Award | Name |
| MLS Goalkeeper of the Year | Matt Reis (Finalist) |
| MLS Rookie of the Year | Kheli Dube (Finalist) |
| MLS Fair Play Award (Individual) | Michael Parkhurst |
| MLS Fair Play Award (Team) | New England Revolution |
| MLS Player of the Week | Steve Ralston (Week 14, Week 25)
Adam Cristman (Week 15) |
| MLS All-Stars | Shalrie Joseph, Michael Parkhurst, Steve Ralston, Matt Reis |
| MLS Goal of the Week | Sainey Nyassi (Week 1 vs. HOU) |
| Team Most Valuable Player | Steve Ralston |
| Team Defender of the Year | Michael Parkhurst |
| Team Humanitarian of the Year | Adam Cristman |
| Team Golden Boot | Steve Ralston (8g 7a) |
Match results
Win Tie Loss
Friendlies
The Revolution played preseason matches in Cancun, Bermuda, and New Orleans, with a 4-1-1 record. On March 6, the Revolution played a match against CF Atlante in Playa del Carmen.[6]
| March 6, 2008 | CF Atlante | 1–0 | New England Revolution | Playa del Carmen |
| ,[6] [6] |
| March 6, 2008 | Pioneros de Cancun | 1–4 | New England Revolution | Playa del Carmen |
| [7] |
| March 14, 2008 | New England Revolution | v | C.D. Marathón | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-revolution-get-superlig/143311114/, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-they-stood-together-on/163071948/ | Stadium: Tad Gormley Stadium | |||
| Note: Game was a 60-minute, closed-door scrimmage | ||||
| March 16, 2008 | New England Revolution | 0-0 | C.D. Marathón | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-revolution-get-superlig/143311114/, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-they-stood-together-on/163071948/ | Stadium: Tad Gormley Stadium Attendance: 4,500 |
MLS regular season
| March 29, 2008 1 | New England Revolution | 3–0 | Houston Dynamo | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT | Ralston 15' Cristman 32' Nyassi 92+' |
(report) | Mulrooney 58' | Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 11,116 Referee: Michael Kennedy |
| April 3, 2008 2 | Chicago Fire | 4–0 | New England Revolution | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| 7:00 PM CDT | Barrett 4' 50' Mapp 17' Frankowski 22' 39' Blanco 37' Gutierrez 89' |
(report) | Larentowicz 7' Joseph 7' |
Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 15,553 Referee: Baldomero Toledo |
| April 09, 2008 3 | Kansas City Wizards | 1–3 | New England Revolution | Kansas City, Missouri United States |
| 7:00 PM CDT | (report) | Stadium: CommunityAmerica Ballpark Attendance: 8,096 Referee: Terry Vaughn |
| April 12, 2010 4 | New England Revolution | 0–1 | Colorado Rapids | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Referee: Mark Geiger |
| April 19, 2008 5 | New York Red Bulls | 1–1 | New England Revolution | East Rutherford, New Jersey United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Giants Stadium Attendance: 12,047 |
| April 24, 2008 6 | FC Dallas | 0–1 | New England Revolution | Frisco, Texas, United States |
| 7:30 PM CDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 10,453 Referee: Alex Prus |
| May 3, 2008 7 | New England Revolution | 0–3 | Chicago Fire | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT | Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 10,858 Referee: Jair Marrufo |
| May 11, 2008 8 | Chivas USA | 1–2 | New England Revolution | Carson, California, United States |
| 12:00 PM PDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Home Depot Center Attendance: 10,927 Referee: Mark Geiger |
| May 17, 2008 9 | New England Revolution | 2–0 | San Jose Earthquakes | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 13,004 Referee: Terry Vaughn |
| May 24, 2008 10 | Columbus Crew | 0–1 | New England Revolution | Columbus, Ohio, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Columbus Crew Stadium Attendance: 15,621 Referee: Richard Heron |
| May 29, 2008 11 | New England Revolution | 2–2 | D.C. United | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 8,159 Referee: Abbey Okulaja |
| June 6, 2008 12 | New England Revolution | 2–1 | FC Dallas | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 6:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 54,045[7] Referee: Michael Kennedy |
| June 12, 2008 13 | Houston Dynamo | 0–2 | New England Revolution | Houston, Texas, United States |
| 8:00 PM CDT |
|
|
Stadium: Robertson Stadium Attendance: 14,655 Referee: Mark Geiger |
| June 18, 2008 14 | New England Revolution | 1–1 | New York Red Bulls | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 10,596 Referee: Joe Caroccio |
| June 21, 2008 15 | Real Salt Lake | 2–1 | New England Revolution | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| 7:30 PM MDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Rice-Eccles Stadium Attendance: 11,965 Referee: Kevin Stott |
| June 28, 2008 16 | New England Revolution | 2–1 | Toronto FC | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 15,863 Referee: Tim Weyland |
| July 4, 2008 17 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 1–2 | New England Revolution | Carson, California, United States |
| PDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Home Depot Center Attendance: 27,000 Referee: Jorge Gonzalez |
| August 9, 2008 18 | New England Revolution | 1–2 | Chicago Fire | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 19,240 Referee: Kevin Scott |
| August 16, 2008 19 | San Jose Earthquakes | 4–0 | New England Revolution | San Jose, California, United States |
| 7:00 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Buck Shaw Stadium Attendance: 9,859 Referee: Shane Moody |
| August 20, 2008 20 | New England Revolution | 2–1 | D.C. United | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 14,964 Referee: Abbey Okulaja |
| August 23, 2008 21 | Toronto FC | 1–1 | New England Revolution | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| 7:30 PM |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: BMO Field Attendance: 20,461 Referee: Michael Kennedy |
| August 30, 2008 22 | New England Revolution | 2–2 | Los Angeles Galaxy | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 39,256 Referee: Tim Weyland |
| September 6, 2008 23 | Columbus Crew | 4–0 | New England Revolution | Columbus, Ohio, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Columbus Crew Stadium Attendance: 16,918 Referee: Mark Geiger |
| September 11, 2008 24 | New England Revolution | 4–0 | Chivas USA | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:00 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 7,606 Referee: Jair Marrufo |
| September 20, 2008 25 | Colorado Rapids | 1–1 | New England Revolution | Commerce City, Colorado, United States |
| 7:00 PM CDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park Attendance: 12,223 Referee: Michael Kennedy |
| September 27, 2008 26 | New England Revolution | 0–1 | Columbus Crew | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 15,035 Referee: Terry Vaughn |
| October 4, 2008 27 | New England Revolution | 2–2 | Real Salt Lake | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 18,893 Referee: Baldomero Toledo |
| October 11, 2008 28 | Kansas City Wizards | 1–0 | New England Revolution | Kansas City, Kansas, United States |
| 7:00 PM CDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: CommunityAmerica Ballpark Attendance: 9,488 Referee: Alex Pruss |
| October 16, 2008 29 | D.C. United | 2–1 | New England Revolution | Washington, D.C., United States |
| 8:00 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: RFK Stadium Attendance: 16,672 Referee: Tim Weyland |
| October 25, 2008 30 | New England Revolution | 3–1 | Kansas City Wizards | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 16,764 Referee: Kevin Scott |
Open Cup
| July 1, 2008 Third round | New England Revolution | 3–0 | Richmond Kickers | New Britain, Connecticut, United States |
| 7:00 PM EDT | Brill 46' Germanese 63' Twellman 67' |
(report) | Stadium: Veteran's Memorial Stadium Attendance: 3,950 Referee: Tony Russo |
| July 8, 2008 Quarterfinals | New England Revolution | 1–1 (5-3 p) | Crystal Palace Baltimore | New Britain, Connecticut, United States |
| 7:00 PM EDT | Mansally 6' Igwe 33' Hilgenbrinck 59' |
(report) | Lader 20' Teixeira 78' Harkin 109' Flores 119' |
Stadium: Veteran's Memorial Stadium Attendance: 2,590 Referee: Hilario Grajeda |
| Penalties | ||||
| Hilgenbrinck Dube Tierney Igwe Castro |
Harada Harkin Mbuta Teixeira |
|||
| August 12, 2008 Semifinals | D.C. United | 3–1 | New England Revolution | Washington, D.C., United States |
| 7:30 PM EDT | Emilio 4' 81' Quaranta 48' McTavish 50' |
(report) | Germanese 34' Igwe 38' Thompson 71' |
Stadium: RFK Stadium Attendance: 6,797 Referee: Jorge Gonzalez |
SuperLiga
| July 14, 2008 Group B | New England Revolution | 1–0 | Santos Laguna | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 8:00 PM EDT | Dube 70' | (report) | Rodriguez 40' | Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 10,118 Referee: Enrico Wijngaarde |
| July 16, 2008 Group B | New England Revolution | 1–0 | Pachuca | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 8:00 PM EDT | Smith 96+' (pen.) | (report) | Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 9,614 Referee: Walter Quesada |
| July 20, 2008 Group B | Chivas USA | 1–1 | New England Revolution | Fullerton, California, United States |
| 5:00 PM PDT | Razov 59' | (report) | Joseph 78' | Stadium: Titan Stadium Attendance: 4,738 Referee: Abiodun Okulaja |
| July 30, 2008 Semifinal | New England Revolution | 1–0 | Puebla | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 8:00 PM EDT | Joseph 30' Heaps 90+' |
(report) | Rey 85' Zamora 90+' Vilar 90+' Muñoz 90+' Venegas 90+' |
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 8,302 Referee: Carlos Batres |
| August 5, 2008 Final | New England Revolution | 2–2 (6–5 p) | Houston Dynamo | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 8:00 EDT | Ralston 41' Joseph 82', 102' |
Report | Davis 14' Jaqua 18' Kamara 98' |
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 9,242 Referee: Howard Webb |
| Penalties | ||||
| Ralston Reis Joseph Twellman Smith Larentowicz Tierney Albright |
Waibel Wondolowski De Rosario Ching Clark Barrett Kamara Ashe |
|||
Champions League
| August 26, 2008 Preliminary round | Joe Public | 2–1 | New England Revolution | Macoya, Trinidad and Tobago |
| 9:00 EDT | Richardson 50' Gay 70' |
Castro 76' (pen.) | Stadium: Marvin Lee Stadium Attendance: 2,100 Referee: Courtney Campbell |
| September 2, 2008 Preliminary round | New England Revolution | 0–4 | Joe Public | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 8:00 EDT | Richardson 17' 45' 81' Nelson 48' |
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Steven Depiero |
Playoffs
| October 30, 2008 Conference Semifinals | New England Revolution | 0–0 | Chicago Fire | Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States |
| 8:00 PM EDT | Report | Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 5,221 Referee: Alex Prus |
| November 6, 2008 Conference Semifinals | Chicago Fire | 3–0 | New England Revolution | Bridgeview, Illinois, United States |
| 7:45 PM CDT | Thorrington 36' Rolfe 47+' Conde 49' Busch 62' Segares 74' |
(report) | Albright 83' Igwe 47' Joseph 53' |
Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 17,312 Referee: Jair Marrufo |
Standings
Conference
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus Crew | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 50 | 36 | +14 | 57 | MLS Cup Playoffs |
| 2 | Chicago Fire | 30 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 44 | 33 | +11 | 46 | |
| 3 | New England Revolution | 30 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 40 | 43 | −3 | 43 | |
| 4 | Kansas City Wizards | 30 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 37 | 39 | −2 | 42 | |
| 5 | New York Red Bulls | 30 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 42 | 48 | −6 | 39 | |
| 6 | D.C. United | 30 | 11 | 15 | 4 | 43 | 51 | −8 | 37 | |
| 7 | Toronto FC | 30 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 34 | 43 | −9 | 35 |
Source: MLS
Overall
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus Crew (C, S) | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 50 | 36 | +14 | 57 | CONCACAF Champions League |
| 2 | Houston Dynamo | 30 | 13 | 5 | 12 | 45 | 32 | +13 | 51 | |
| 3 | Chicago Fire | 30 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 44 | 33 | +11 | 46 | North American SuperLiga |
| 4 | Chivas USA | 30 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 40 | 41 | −1 | 43 | |
| 5 | New England Revolution | 30 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 40 | 43 | −3 | 43 | |
| 6 | Kansas City Wizards | 30 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 37 | 39 | −2 | 42 | |
| 7 | Real Salt Lake | 30 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 | 39 | +1 | 40 | |
| 8 | New York Red Bulls | 30 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 42 | 48 | −6 | 39 | CONCACAF Champions League |
| 9 | Colorado Rapids | 30 | 11 | 14 | 5 | 44 | 45 | −1 | 38 | |
| 10 | D.C. United | 30 | 11 | 15 | 4 | 43 | 51 | −8 | 37 | CONCACAF Champions League |
| 11 | FC Dallas | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 45 | 41 | +4 | 36 | |
| 12 | Toronto FC | 30 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 34 | 43 | −9 | 35 | CONCACAF Champions League[a] |
| 13 | LA Galaxy | 30 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 55 | 62 | −7 | 33 | |
| 14 | San Jose Earthquakes | 30 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 32 | 38 | −6 | 33 |
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
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) goal difference; 4) number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (S) Supporters' Shield
Notes:
- ^ As winners of the 2009 Canadian Championship
References
- ^ "2008 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ McCarthy, Kyle (August 6, 2008). "Revs Capture SuperLiga 2008 Crown". Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "Fire 3, Revolution 0". New England Revolution. November 6, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ a b 2024 Media Guide. New England Revolution. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "ClubHistory_CoachandPlayerRegistry.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "New England Beats Atlante 1-0 in Superliga". Journal Tribune. Foxborough. July 31, 2008. p. 16. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024.
- ^ "NE Revolution 2, FC Dallas 1". Retrieved May 12, 2024.
External Links