Now that it’s mid-December and an MLS Cup champion has been crowned (congratulations to the Portland Timbers), it’s officially time to start looking forward to 2016. Or, it’s almost time.
Before we put 2015 completely in the rearview mirror, let’s take one more look at some of the best memories from this past campaign. Because although the Revolution’s playoff run ended far sooner than anyone would’ve liked, we were still left with plenty of moments to remember.
In this particular top 10 countdown we’re recapping the best on-field moments from 2015, from six-game winning streaks to memorable milestones (and maybe a goal or two).
No. 10: Olé!
Charlie Davies incorporates supporters’ tifo into his goal celebration vs. Red Bulls
The Stanky Leg. The Bernie. TiP TOE WiNG iN MY JAWWDiNZ.
Charlie Davies has never been shy about celebrating a goal. But when he opened the scoring against the New York Red Bulls on May 2 with a diving header, he took it to another level.
Davies ran to the corner flag and posted up as torero, imaginary red cloth in hand, baiting teammates Teal Bunbury and Juan Agudelo – playing the roles of the bulls – to charge. They did, and Davies spun out to avoid their “horns” as they passed with perfect form.
The best part of the celebration, though, was that prior to kickoff the supporters had raised a tifo depicting a torero fighting a bull – a wonderful bit of synchronization, unplanned though it may have been.
No. 9: Thunderstruck
Revs – and their supporters – withstand three hours of weather delays in win over Houston
For better or worse, August 15 was a night to remember at Gillette Stadium.
The Revs and Houston Dynamo kicked off as expected just after 7:30 p.m. ET, but with torrential thunderstorms blanketing the area, play was halted in just the 13th minute. Play didn’t resume until 9:40 p.m. ET – an initial delay of one hour and 49 minutes. But wait! There’s more!
After the teams played out a scoreless first half, a second delay – this one lasting one hour and one minute – pushed second-half kickoff back to almost midnight. So the game that got underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on August 15? It didn’t finish until the wee hours of August 16.
The good news is that those who stuck around – even as rain continued to fall – were treated to a 2-0 Revolution win on the back of goals from Jose Goncalves and Juan Agudelo. Justice!
No. 8: Locally grown, nationally recognized
Massachusetts native Chris Tierney named to his first career MLS All-Star Team
New England Revolution supporters are proud of their region. The motto “Six States, One Team” encapsulates that pride, as does their flying of the Flag of New England.
It’s no surprise, then, that local players hold a special place in supporters’ hearts. So when Chris Tierney was named to the 2015 MLS All-Star Team, it was more than just another individual accolade.
Tierney – a native of Wellesley, Massachusetts – grew up watching the Revolution. Much of his soccer education took place in the stands at the old Foxboro Stadium. He wasn’t just representing the Revolution on the All-Star team; he was representing New England.
Unfortunately, injury forced Tierney to withdraw from the match against Tottenham Hotspur, but his place on the All-Star squad remains a point of pride for New Englanders nonetheless.
No. 7: We’re going streaking!
Revs down the rival Red Bulls to match a club record with their sixth straight win
There’s little question that the New England Revolution were the streakiest team in Major League Soccer this past year. Perhaps in 2014, as well. Sometimes that’s bad. But sometimes, it’s good.
Throughout August and September of this past year, it was good. The Revs caught fire and rattled off five straight wins – three at home and two on the road – ahead of a top-of-the-table clash with the Red Bulls.
The game offered the Revolution a chance to match the club record for consecutive wins in front of the home fans, and on beautiful late summer night in Foxborough, they didn’t disappoint.
Diego Fagundez and Mike Grella traded early goals, but Kelyn Rowe emerged as the game winner midway through the second half as the Revs notched a sixth straight victory, the longest winning streak by any MLS club in 2015.
No. 6: Homegrown Herivaux
Promising young midfielder Zachary Herivaux becomes the Revs’ third Homegrown player
If academy systems are the future of American soccer, it appears as if the Revs are on the right track.
New England’s academy had already produced Diego Fagundez and Scott Caldwell – two players who combined to make 66 appearances for the Revs in 2015 – before the first team added a third Homegrown player back in May with the addition of 19-year-old midfielder Zachary Herivaux.
Herivaux spent four years developing in New England’s academy and counts Revolution legend Shalrie Joseph as one of his biggest mentors, even honoring Joseph by wearing the number 21.
The 2014 UnitedHealthcare Youth Player of the Year, Herivaux spent the second half of 2015 adjusting to the professional game and continuing to hone his skills. And with Fagundez and Caldwell as examples to follow, there’s hopefully a bright future for another of New England’s local products.
No. 5: Swags is back
Juan Agudelo re-signs with the Revolution after a scintillating six-month stint in 2013
Juan Agudelo was a fan favorite during his first stint with the Revolution back in 2013. Players who average one goal every two games tend to draw that kind of adoration.
So when the young striker returned to MLS and the Revolution ahead of the 2015 campaign – following a frustrating spell in Europe – it was music to the ears of New England supporters.
Agudelo marked his return with a quite spectacular goal against the Colorado Rapids on April 4, and soon thereafter was making another return with the U.S. National Team, scoring against Mexico in a friendly less than two weeks later on April 15.
Agudelo, who just recently turned 23, finished the regular season with seven goals in 32 appearances, before capping off the year with one of the best goals in Revolution history – that memorable bicycle kick at RFK Stadium in the playoff loss to D.C. United.
We can’t wait to see what “Swags” has in store for 2016.
No. 4: A goal three years in the making
Fan favorite Scott Caldwell scores his first career goal in his 63rd MLS appearance
An 84th-minute goal to cap off a 4-0 win isn’t typically cause for great celebration. Unless, of course, it’s the first career goal for an unsung fan favorite playing in his 63rd career game.
It was game over shortly after halftime of the Revolution’s meeting with Real Salt Lake on April 25 as Chris Tierney, Juan Agudelo and Charlie Davies all scored inside 50 minutes to put the Revs firmly in control. But the game’s best moment didn’t arrive until the closing stages, and Caldwell was the star.
A chaotic scramble in the box culminated with Kelyn Rowe laying a short pass off to Caldwell, who swung his left foot through a first-time effort, guiding a shot through the legs of RSL defender Tony Beltran, inside the left post and into the back of the net.
Gillette Stadium erupted, but the most excited person in the building wasn’t in the stands, and it likely wasn’t even Caldwell – teammate (and housemate) Andrew Farrell sprinted forward from his center back position to be the first person to mob Caldwell after the goal.
No. 3: “World class from Juan Agudelo!”
Juan Agudelo makes highlight reels around the world with an audacious bicycle kick vs. DCU
Some players just know how to put on a show.
Juan Agudelo, who scored one of the more audacious goals in MLS history with a back-heel lob during his first stint with the Revs in 2013, may well have outdone himself this past October.
Sizing up an inch-perfect Kevin Alston cross from the right flank, Agudelo launched himself into the air and connected sweetly with a sidewinding volley. The effort left D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid helpless as the ball nestled comfortably inside the far post.
It was the opening goal of the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs and although the Revolution’s night ended in frustration, Agudelo’s goal left fans with a moment to remember.
The strike ranked No. 1 on SportsCenter’s Top 10 that evening, but sadly playoff goals aren’t eligible for Major League Soccer’s Goal of the Year award. We all know who really scored the best goal, though.
No. 2: Diego’s night to remember
Diego Fagundez hits a stunning winner on the night he makes his 100th league appearance
When you sign with the league as a 15-year-old and earn a starting job by the age of 17, you’re probably going to be the youngest player to do a whole bunch of things.
Youngest player in Revolution history to appear in a game and score a goal (16 years, 173 days). Youngest to win Revolution MVP (18 years old in 2013). Youngest in MLS history to score 25 career regular-season goals (20 years, 196 days).
Diego Fagundez reached another of those milestones on June 13 of this past season, becoming the youngest player in MLS history to make 100 regular-season appearances (20 years, 119 days).
That night Fagundez celebrated more than just reaching the century mark, as he scored the opening goal in the Revolution’s 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire in style. As a half-cleared corner kick fell out of the sky, Fagundez unleashed a vicious full volley from 20 yards, stinging his shot past Jon Busch.
Fagundez called the goal the best of his professional career, and although he admitted that he wasn’t aware he was making his 100th appearance until after the game, he did reveal what he’d be doing with the historic jersey – giving it to his mother as a keepsake.
No. 1: Unsung no more
Scott Caldwell becomes the second Homegrown player in three years to win Revs MVP
“He does the dirty work that no one really notices.”
That’s a quote that was used to describe Scott Caldwell in 2013. And 2014. And it was still apt in 2015; at least the first part. Because this past year, everybody noticed Scott Caldwell.
Caldwell has never been super flashy. He plays primarily in a deep-lying midfield role, serving as the anchor to New England’s attack and the shield for their backline. He’s the pendulum of possession, swinging the ball from side to side and helping the “skill players” create the necessary space.
It’s absolutely vital to everything the Revs do. Perhaps it was Caldwell’s increased offensive output this past year that garnered attention (two goals and five assists, compared to zero goals and four assists combined his first two years), or maybe it just took time for his efforts to shine through. But they did.
By fan vote, Caldwell was named the Revolution’s 2015 Santander Team MVP. It’s almost unheard of for a holding midfielder to earn that kind of honor when goals rule the airwaves, but it speaks to the knowledgeable Revolution fans who watch Caldwell on a week-to-week basis.
The best part? Caldwell became the second Homegrown player in the past three years to have his name etched onto the Revolution’s MVP trophy after Diego Fagundez took home the honor in 2013.
There is perhaps no better indicator that the Revolution’s academy system is working than to have two of the last three first-team MVPs come directly from the club’s youth system.
As it turns out, the kids are alright.
