NE Revolution vs. Columbus Crew
May 19, 2018
If Saturday’s match was the final regular season meeting between the Revolution and Crew, it was a fitting end to a rivalry that had no shortage of drama since the league’s inception back in 1996.
In a clash that featured some questionable calls, a tactical chess match, and a late-winner, the Crew prevailed on a late goal, much like they did in the first meeting between Columbus and New England 22 years ago.
With the Crew ticketed for a move to Austin, TX in 2019, all that’s left appears to be memories of a rivalry that spanned over two decades. Granted, Crew-Revolution was far from a glamorous clash, even when it met twice in the postseason within a three-year span. There was no trophy, cup, or prize at stake when the MLS originals met. But there sure were lasting scenes created along the way.
The beginning of the rivalry kicked off on May 11, 1996 in a match that featured a Brian McBride brace and Alberto Naveda’s first Revolution goal. An announced attendance of 24,750 was on hand at Ohio Stadium, a 102,000 seat venue that awkwardly served as the Crew’s first home.
To say Columbus dominated the rivalry in those early years would be a massive understatement. From 1996-2000, the Crew recorded a 15-4-1 mark against the Revolution, including four shoot out victories (remember those?).
But the tide turned not long after the new millennium. In 2002, the MLS originals met in the postseason for the first time during the Eastern Conference semifinals, which at the time consisted of a three-game series on aggregate. New England won the series 3-2 en route to their first trip to the MLS Cup final.
Two years later, the sides met again in the Conference semis, which the Revolution won 2-1 before they were knocked out by DC United in the Conference final.
The playoffs weren’t the only forum that presented plenty of drama. In 2009 and 2013, the Revolution clinched playoff berths with wins over the Crew on the last day of the season.
The 2014 postseason pitted the old rivals in the Conference semis, and at a time in which both entered the playoffs in strong form. But the Crew were outclassed by a Jermaine Jones-led Revolution as Charlie Davies scored a brace in the first leg to send the Revolution to a 7-3 aggregate series win, which paved the way to yet another MLS Cup run for New England.
Although the Revolution got the best of the Crew thrice in the postseason, Columbus can lay claim to a prize that continues to elude the New Englanders: a league trophy, which the Crew captured in 2008.
In their shared history over the years, the Crew and Revolution both moved to brand new stadiums, and both won Open Cup trophies. Neither was ever considered a powerhouse club, so to speak, though plenty of talented players performed leading roles within the rivalry.
One of the most notable: center back Michael Parkhurst, who coincidentally kicked off his career in New England in 2005 before his rights were traded to Columbus in 2014 following a stint in Europe.
All told, the Crew got the best of the Revolution during their all-time regular season series, going 36-23-13 over the years. They won the very first matchup, as well as the very last if Anthony Precourt does move his club to the Lone Star state after the season.
And if Precourt does proceed with that move – a move that seems more likely each day – then it’s also fitting that Brad Friedel, who was one of the Crew’s first stars, was on hand for the match as Revolution coach. Friedel, a native of Ohio, could only bear witness as his footballers fell to his hometown team for, perhaps, the final time.
Columbus Crew
NE Revolution
