2004 New England Revolution season
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| 2004 season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Robert Kraft (The Kraft Group) |
| Head coach | Steve Nicol |
| Stadium | Gillette Stadium Foxborough, Massachusetts |
| MLS | Conference:
4th Overall: 9th |
| MLS Cup Playoffs | Eastern conference finals |
| U.S. Open Cup | Fourth round |
| Top goalscorer | Pat Noon (11g) |
| Average home league attendance | 12,226 |
| Biggest win | 6–1 (September 18 vs. Colorado Rapids) |
| Biggest defeat | 3–1 (T3) |
The 2004 New England Revolution season was the ninth season for the New England Revolution both as a club and in Major League Soccer (MLS). The club reached the playoffs after finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference (MLS). The club also reached the Eastern conference final, where they lost to D.C. United on penalty kicks. Additionally, they club participated in the U.S. Open Cup, where they were eliminated by the Rochester Rhinos in the fourth round.[1]
The Revolution entered 2004 by extending head coach Steve Nicol’s contract for two years, and re-signing Jay Heaps, Chris Brown, and Brian Kamler.[2]
In the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, the Revolution selected four players: Clint Dempsey, Jeremiah White, Felix Brillant, and Andy Dorman.[3] On February 5, 2004, the club named legendary England striker Paul Mariner as assistant coach, and also Peter Simonini as goalkeeper coach.[2] The club played its first competitive match on April 3, 2004, dropping a 3-2 result to the LA Galaxy.[4] The Revolution struggled throughout the first half of the season, recording only three wins in their first 15 matches, recording only their third win of the year on June 2 thanks to a Pat Noonan hattrick.[5] before going on a seven-match unbeaten run during the months of July and August.[6] The club finished the season sub-.500, with a record of 8 wins, 13 losses, and 9 draws, but nevertheless qualified for the playoffs on the last day of the season courtesy of a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire, who they beat out for the final playoff berth. In the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Revolution defeated the Supporters' Shield-holding Columbus Crew 2-1 on aggregate,[7] (thanks in part to two penalty kick saves from Matt Reis),[8] before losing the Eastern Conference Finals in penalties to eventual-champions D.C. United. The Eastern Conference final, played in front of 21,201 at RFK Stadium, is widely considered one of the best MLS games of all time.[6][9]
Squad
First team squad
The New England Revolution's 2004 roster adapted from the document "Club History: All-Time Results."[10]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Transfers
| New England Revolution – 2004 Transfers In | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | Date | Method | Fee | Previous club | Reference |
| Clint Dempsey | MF | January 16, 2004 | 2004 MLS SuperDraft | N/A | Furman Paladins men's soccer | [2] |
| Jeremiah White | FW | January 16, 2004 | SuperDraft | N/A | South Jersey Barons | [2] |
| Félix Brillant | FW | January 16, 2004 | SuperDraft | N/A | Cape Cod Crusaders | [2] |
| Andy Dorman | MF | January 16, 2004 | SuperDraft | N/A | Boston University Terriers | [2] |
| Ritchie Baker | MF | February 5, 2004 | Undisclosed | N/A | Shelbourne F.C. | [2] |
| Luke Vercollone | MF | April 24, 2004 | Undisclosed | N/A | Cape Cod Crusaders | [2] |
| Avery John | MF | May 20, 2004 | Undisclosed | N/A | Longford Town F.C. | [2] |
| Bobby Thompson | MF | July 1, 2004 | Undisclosed | N/A | Boston College | [2] |
| Doug Warren | GK | July 10, 2004 | Added from MLS Goalkeeper Pool | N/A | DC United | [2] |
| Perek Belleh | FW | July 20, 2004 | Undisclosed | N/A | RNYFC | [2] |
| Steve Howey | DF | August 26, 2004 | Undisclosed | N/A | Bolton Wanderers F.C. | [2] |
| New England Revolution – 2004 Transfers In | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | Date | Method | Fee | Next Club | Reference |
| Jason Moore | MF | February 10, 2004 | Waived | N/A | N/A | [2] |
| Chris Brown | FW | April 8, 2004 | Traded | "Future Considerations" | San Jose Earthquakes | [2] |
| Kyle Singer | GK | April 24, 2004 | Loan | N/A | New Hampshire Phantoms | [2] |
| Daouda Kanté | DF | August 3, 2004 | Waived | N/A | St. Louis Steamers | [2] |
| Steve Howey | DF | November 26, 2004 | Waived | N/A | Hartlepool United F.C. | [2] |
| Richie Baker | MF | November 26, 2004 | Waived | N/A | Shelbourne F.C. | [2] |
League and team awards
| New England Revolution – 2004 League Awards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Award | Player(s) | Winner / Finalist | Reference |
| MLS Rookie of the Year | Clint Dempsey | Winner | [1] |
| MLS Player of the Week | Pat Noonan (wk 10) | Winner | [1] |
| MLS Goal of the Week | Joe Franchino (week 5), Steve Ralston (week 15, week 29) | Winner | [1] |
| MLS Goal of the Year | Steve Ralston | finalist | [1] |
| New England Revolution – 2004 Team Awards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Award | Player(s) | Winner / Finalist | Reference |
| Revolution Most Valuable Player | Steve Ralston | Winner | [1] |
| Revolution Scoring Champion | Pat Noonan (30pts, 11G, 8A | Winner | [1] |
| Revolution Defender of the Year | Matt Reis | Winner | [1] |
| Revolution Humanitarian of the Year | Brian Kamler | Winner | [1] |
