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 3–0 win over the Houston Dynamo and ended on November 6 with a 3–0 playoff loss to the Chicago Fire.
Background 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.
Review 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 6–1 on aggregate, including an embarrassing 4–0 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 0–0 at home and lost 3–0 away to the Chicago Fire.
Squad
Adapted from 2024 New England Revolution Media Guide (pg. 236)
Transfers In
New England Revolution – 2008 Transfers In Name Nationality Position Date Method Fee Prior Club Reference Chris Albright DF January 18 "Acquired" see note LA Galaxy Rob Valentino DF January 18 2008 MLS SuperDraft N/A San Jose Frogs Mike Videira MF January 18 2008 MLS SuperDraft N/A Cary RailHawks U23's Joe Germanese DF January 18 2008 MLS SuperDraft N/A Cary RailHawks U23's Matthew Britner DF January 18 2008 MLS SuperDraft N/A Brown Bears Spencer Wadsworth MF January 18 2008 MLS SuperDraft N/A Duke University Kheli Dube FW January 24 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft N/A Michigan Bucks Chris Tierney DF January 24 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft N/A Virginia Cavaliers men's soccer Kyle Altman MF January 24 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft N/A DFW Tornados Saidi Isaac ?? FW January 24 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft N/A Winthrop Eagles Mauricio Castro MF February 18 Transfer Undisclosed Olimipia Argenis Fernandez FW March 11 Transfer Undisclosed Santos de Guapiles Chase Hilgenbrinck DF March 28 Free Agent N/A Ñublense Pat Phelan MF June 4 Trade See note Toronto FC Gabriel Badilla DF August 18 Transfer Undisclosed Deportivo Saprissa
Transfers Out
New England Revolution – 2008 Transfers Out Name Nationality Position Date Method Fee Next Club Reference Andy Dorman MF January 3 Transfer Undisclosed St Mirren F.C. Pat Noonan FW January 24 Transfer Undisclosed Aalesunds FK Joe Franchino MF April 18 Trade See note LA Galaxy Chase Hilgenbrinck DF July 14 Retired N/A N/A Adam Cristman FW November 24 Trade See note Kansas City Wizards Khano Smith MF November 26 2008 MLS Expansion Draft N/A New York Red Bulls Doug Warren GK November 26 Waived N/A N/A Jose Angulo FW November 26 Waived N/A Newark Ironbound Express Michael Parkhurst DF December 9 Transferred Undisclosed FC Nordsjælland
Notes
Honors
Adapted from 2024 Media Guide (pg. 326–328)
New England Revolution – 2008 League and team awards Award Name MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Matt Reis (Finalist) MLS Rookie of the Year Kheli Dube (Finalist) MLS Fair Play Award (Individual) Michael Parkhurst MLS Fair Play Award (Team) New England Revolution MLS Player of the Week Steve Ralston (Week 14, Week 25) Adam Cristman (Week 15) MLS All-Stars Shalrie Joseph, Michael Parkhurst, Steve Ralston, Matt ReisMLS Goal of the Week Sainey Nyassi (Week 1 vs. HOU) Team Most Valuable Player Steve Ralston Team Defender of the Year Michael Parkhurst Team Humanitarian of the Year Adam Cristman Team Golden Boot Steve Ralston (8g 7a)
Match results
Friendlies 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.
MLS regular season
Open Cup
SuperLiga
Champions League
Playoffs
Standings
Conference
Overall
References
External links 2008 Schedule