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Even though the 2015 Revolution season fell short of expectations, supporters still have plenty to lack back on. If nothing else, Scott Caldwell scored his first MLS goal. And that's something.
We break down the top 10 moments of the Revs' 2015 campaign.
10. Andrea Pirlo's lackadaisical defending can't keep Kelyn Rowe from scoring.
Seeking revenge for an early-season loss at Yankee Stadium, the Revolution jumped out to a 2-0 lead over host NYCFC. And then, in the 55th minute, Rowe turned on a flawless Chris Tierney corner and buried his shot past 'keeper Josh Saunders. The best part? On the goal, Italian legend Andrea Pirlo glued himself to the near post, looking entirely disinterested in the play—and Rowe's pretty finish. The Revs ultimately won, 3-1.
9. Fort unveils "Revengers" tifo for showdown with LA.
Just a few months removed from falling to the LA Galaxy in the MLS Cup Final, Revolution supporters fired back with a clever tifo. The banner featured four Revolution players—one noticeably Jermaine Jones, holding Thor's hammer—under a modified Avengers logo that read, "Revengers." This time, the Revolution played to a 2-2 draw.
8. Revolution draw record crowd of 42,947 in home finale.
Two days before the Revolution hit the field for its home finale, club President Brian Bilello forecasted an attendance of more than 40,000, a total that would beat the team's previous home crowd record of 39,256 (Aug. 20, 2008 vs. LA Galaxy). His prediction came true: nearly 43,000 fans came out to watch the club host the Montreal Impact. Unfortunately, the Impact shutout the Revs, 1-0.
7. Diego Fagundez scores 63 Seconds into rivalry match against the Red Bulls.
After scoring in three consecutive matches, Fagundez entered a midweek tilt against the Red Bulls brimming with confidence. In just the second minute, Fagundez followed a through ball from Juan Agudelo and rifled a shot past Luis Robles, adding a fourth game to his scoring streak. Kelyn Rowe would eventually score the game-winner in the 65th minute, propelling the Revs to a 2-1 victory.
6. Four Revolution players named to MLS "24 Under 24" list.
In September, MLS released its annual "24 Under 24" list, a compilation of the league's top young stars. Four Revolution players—Andrew Farrell, Rowe, Fagundez and Agudelo—made the cut, more than any other MLS club.
5. Diego Fagundez rifles a volley past Jon Busch.
Early in the second half of a 0-0 match against the Chicago Fire, Fagundez found himself at the top of the box awaiting a broken corner kick. With time and space, Diego ripped a shot past several Fire defenders and into the back of the net, emphatically giving the Revs a 1-0 advantage. His tally ultimately took home MLS Goal of the Week honors.
4. Scott Caldwell scores his first MLS goal.
For years, Revolution supporters awaited the day when the homegrown midfielder would score his first professional goal. In April, they got their wish. Already up 3-0 late in a match against Real Salt Lake, the Revolution created a flurry of opportunities, though goalkeeper Jeff Attinella kept his net clean with several strong saves. Eventually, the ball fell to Caldwell at the top of the box, and the Braintree, Mass. native finessed a well-placed shot into the back of the net. According to Revs color commentator Paul Mariner, "It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy."
3. Lee Nguyen collects club record three assists in rout of Orlando City SC.
In arguably his best performance of the season, Nguyen set up all three Revolution goals en route to a 3-0 drubbing of Orlando City SC. Tasty through balls, cheeky back heels, clever one-two-passes—Nguyen found pockets of space and punished the Lions all night long. After the match, Charlie Davies noted, "When he plays like he did tonight, he makes everyone’s job that much easier."
2. Juan Agudelo stuns Bill Hamid with a bicycle-kick finish.
Revolution fans won't soon forget this tally. In the early stages of a knockout-round playoff match against D.C. United, Kevin Alston found space on the right flank and curled a cross into the box. The pass fell just behind Agudelo, though the forward adjusted, lept into the air and stung a bicycle kick into the back of the net. For the second season in a row, the Revs scored a playoff golazo.
1. Chris Tierney earns first MLS All-Star nod.
In his eighth season with the Revolution, left back Chris Tierney earned an overdue selection to the MLS All-Star team. Though Tierney ultimately withdrew from the match due to a nagging injury, he served as the lone Revolution player to make the team—and officially, the first since Shalrie Joseph in 2011.
Bonus: Revolution sign 12 athletes to Special Olympics Unified Team.
In July, the Revolution signed 12 athletes to the first-ever Revolution "Special Olympics Unified Team," a squad that competed against a team of Special Olympians from NYCFC at Gillette Stadium. Players participated in a signing ceremony, received coaching from Jay Heaps and ultimately took the field in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Sometimes, soccer transcends the game itself—and this event was no different.
What was your favorite moment of the 2015 season? Tell us below.