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 3âÂÂ0 win over the Houston Dynamo and ended on November 6 with a 3âÂÂ0 playoff loss to the Chicago Fire.
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.
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. 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 6âÂÂ1 on aggregate, including an embarrassing 4âÂÂ0 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 0âÂÂ0 at home and lost 3âÂÂ0 away to the Chicago Fire.
Adapted from 2024 New England Revolution Media Guide (pg. 236)
Adapted from 2024 Media Guide (pg. 326âÂÂ328)
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.
Conference
Overall
External links