Revolution History: 2000
'96 | '97 | '98 | '99 | '00 | '01 | '02 | '03 | '04 | '05 | '06
Ted Chronopolous & Wolde HarrisEntering its fifth season of operation, the New England Revolution made several organizational changes prior to the start of the 2000 campaign. Sunil Gulati, a longtime executive with Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer, was named Managing Director of Kraft Soccer, Brian O'Donovan was appointed Chief Operating Officer and former U.S. National Team defender Fernando Clavijo was introduced as head coach.
The Revs engineered a draft-day trade that brought scoring threat Wolde Harris aboard from Colorado, and, among other acquisitions, the team selected defender Rusty Pierce in the SuperDraft. The 2000 season marked a year of change for the league, as well, with a move to three four-team divisions and the elimination of penalty-kick shootouts to decide games.
With all of the changes, the Revolution finished second in the Eastern Conference and earned the club’s second-ever MLS Cup Playoffs berth on the last day of the regular season.
In the first season after the end of shootouts, the Revs had two draws in their first three games and earned their first victory of the season in the fifth match of the year – their first home game, a 2-1 victory over D.C. United at Foxboro Stadium.
The Revolution led the Eastern Division early in the season, and although the team battled through several tough stretches during the summers, the Revs secured the club’s second MLS Cup Playoff berth and finished with the best record in club history (13-13-6).
Harris flourished in his first Revolution season, scoring 15 goals and finished seventh in MLS in the Budweiser Scoring race (37 pts.). From July 19 through August 26, Harris scored a goal in seven straight games, tying a then-MLS record. Imad Baba was a consistent scoring threat all season, netting nine goals and recording eight assists, and Ted Chronopoulos had his most prolific offensive season with five goals.
The Revolution clinched the team’s third MLS Cup Playoffs appearance in the last game of the regular season when Joe Franchino scored two goals – including the game-winner in the 68th minute – and added an assist in the Revs’ 4-3 victory against the MetroStars.
2000 Postseason
The Revs and the Central Division champion Chicago Fire met in the MLS Cup Playoffs Quarterfinals. Each team claimed a 2-1 victory on its home field to open the best-of-three series, but Chicago eliminated the Revs from postseason play with a dominating 6-0 win at Soldier Field to close the series. The Revs’ victory at Foxboro Stadium on Sept. 19 was their first-ever playoff victory.
'96 | '97 | '98 | '99 | '00 | '01 | '02 | '03 | '04 | '05 | '06
