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.
The Revolution entered 2004 by extending head coach Steve NicolâÂÂs contract for two years, and re-signing Jay Heaps, Chris Brown, and Brian Kamler.
In the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, the Revolution selected four players: Clint Dempsey, Jeremiah White, Felix Brillant, and Andy Dorman. On February 5, 2004, the club named legendary England striker Paul Mariner as assistant coach, and also Peter Simonini as goalkeeper coach. The club played its first competitive match on April 3, 2004, dropping a 3-2 result to the LA Galaxy. 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. before going on a seven-match unbeaten run during the months of July and August. 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, (thanks in part to two penalty kick saves from Matt Reis), 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.
The New England Revolution's 2004 roster adapted from the document "Club History: All-Time Results."