2002 New England Revolution season

The 2002 New England Revolution season was the seventh season for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS). The club reached the playoffs after finishing first in the Eastern Conference. The Revolution also reached the MLS Cup, where they lost to the LA Galaxy at home.

Prior to the start of the 2002 Major League Soccer season, the Tampa Bay Mutiny and the Miami Fusion ceased operations. This resulted in drafts to disperse players from those clubs around the league. By this method the Revolution received aseveral players; including 2000 MLS Scoring Champion Mamadou Diallo, two-time MLS Best XI and two-time All-Star Steve Ralston, and 2001 MLS Best-XI defender Carlos Llamosa. The club were also able to add 2000 MLS SuperDraft third-overall pick Adin Brown. The Revolution continued to bolster its roster in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft, where they selected striker Taylor Twellman and midfielder Shalrie Joseph; both Twellman and Joseph would go on to become major figures in the club's history in the coming seasons.

The Revolution lost its first two games of the season, then recorded a draw and a win prior to its home opener, and first-ever match, at the newly completed CMGI Field; they won 2-0 in that match over the Dallas Burn, with both goals being scored by second-overall SuperDraft pick Taylor Twellman. Following a 5-2 win on May 22 against the Colorado Rapids, the Revolution parted ways with head coach Fernando Clavijo, who was replaced by Revolution assistant coach and former Liverpool F.C. player Steve Nicol on an interim basis. Nicol had previously coached the Revolution on an interim basis in 1999. Nicol's Revolution recorded their first win two days later, but struggled through the months of June and July, losing ten of fourteen matches. They closed out the regular season on a six game unbeaten stretch and finished atop of the Eastern Conference standings despite a losing record of 12–14–2.

In the MLS Cup Playoffs, New England defeated the Chicago Fire in the quarterfinals, the club's first playoff series victory. The Revolution then recorded a series victory over Columbus in the Eastern Conference Championship to advance to MLS Cup 2002, which was to be hosted at their home stadium, Gillette Stadium. An MLS Cup Playoffs record crowd of 61,316 saw the Revolution lose 1–0 to the LA Galaxy on a golden goal in the 113th minute.

After earning the MLS Coach of the Year Award, the Revolution named Nicol the permanent head coach of the team on November 6.

As of August 6, 2002.

Notes

1 .mw-parser-output .citation{word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}^ Until May 23, 2002 2 ^ Named head coach on November 6, 2002 3 ^ Named assistant coach on June 6, 2002

Notes

1.^ On May 24, 2002, the Revolution traded Mamadou Diallo, Ted Chronopoulos, and Andy Williams to the MetroStars in exchange for Diego Serna, Brian Kamler, and Daniel Hernandez.

Adapted from 2024 New England Revolution Media Guide (pg. 326–328)