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Twellman, Joseph and Dempsey lead All-Time Best XI for New England Revolution

The New England Revolution’s All-Time Best XI features one of the best goal scorers in MLS history, one of the best defensive midfielders the league has ever seen, and one of the best American-born players to ever kick a soccer ball.

Though the MLS Cup title has eluded New England since its inception in 1996, the Revs have still fielded some of the better teams, and best players, to ever pass through MLS.

Establishing a criteria for All-Time XIs isn’t a simple one, but for some insight into the process SBI used to select these teams, you can read our primer on the process.

The selected Revolution All-Time Best XI largely encapsulates the era that saw the Revs make nine postseason appearances, play in four MLS Cup finals, and win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2007 in addition to capturing the North American SuperLiga in 2008.

Here is SBI’s New England Revolution All-Time Best XI:

Matt Reis

Twice named to the MLS Best XI, Reis had elite shot-stopping ability, especially on penalty kicks. Reis is the Revolution’s leader in most goalkeeping categories including goals against average (1.34), wins (86) and shutouts (61).

Chris Tierney

Tierney, a native of Boston, spent all 11 of his MLS seasons with the Revs. He finished his career with 40 assists, third-most among MLS defenders, thanks to a precision left foot that was deadly in open play or from set pieces.

Michael Parkhurst

Parkhurst was the defensive anchor during the Revolution’s run to three consecutive MLS Cup final appearances in his four-year stint for New England, which saw him named MLS Rookie of the Year (2005), MLS Defender of the Year (2007) and earn three MLS All-Star selections.

Jay Heaps

Heaps was versatile as he could play as a left or right back in a three-man defense or anywhere in a four-man back line. He was speedy and aggressive when he joined the attack as well as an effective tackler who excelled on aerial challenges.

Andrew Farrell

The only active player in the group, Farrell is an iron man who can play on the right or in the center. He leads all MLS outfield players in games played, games started and minutes played since he entered MLS as the No. 1 pick in the SuperDraft in 2013 out of Louisville.

Shalrie Joseph

During his time with the Revolution, Joseph was named to the MLS Best XI four times and was a seven-time MLS All-Star selection. He is the club leader in minutes played, games played, games started and set the bar for defensive midfielders in MLS during his time in New England.

Steve Ralston

The crafty Ralston recorded 73 assists for the Revs, 24 more than any other player in club history and only behind Landon Donovan for the all-time MLS record. One of three players to appear in New England’s first four MLS Cup finals, Ralston also contributed 42 goals for the Revs.

Lee Nguyen

Nguyen’s attacking brio produced 18 goals and five assists during the 2014 season, which culminated in an MLS Cup appearance. Nguyen was an equally adept playmaker, recording at least 10 assists in three straight seasons, including 15 in 2017.

Clint Dempsey

Prior to establishing himself as one of the best-ever American players, Dempsey was the eighth-overall pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft out of Furman. Dempsey had three brilliant seasons with the Revs as he scored 25 goals and added 14 assists during two runs to the MLS Cup finals and one Eastern Conference Final.

Pat Noonan

An argument can be made here for one of the original players, Joe-Max Moore, but Noonan helped New England win the U.S. Open Cup in 2007 and was named the MVP of the Cup final after scoring the Revs’ first goal and setting up two others in a 3-2 win over FC Dallas.

Taylor Twellman

One of 11 players in MLS history to score 100 or more goals, Twellman’s club record of 101 goals scored over a span of only eight seasons is likely to stand for some time. Twellman propelled the Revs to four MLS Cup final appearances, a U.S. Open Cup trophy in 2007 and the 2008 SuperLiga title.

Steve Nicol

In nearly 10 seasons at the helm, Nicol took the Revs to MLS Cup finals in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and steered the side to its first-ever cup championship, the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, as well as the North American SuperLiga 2008 title.

Comments

  1. I am a lifetime Revs fan and agree with most of these selections. I dont agree with Tierney, Noonan. Joe-Max should have been in over Noonan. Lee Nguyen was the best player I ever saw at AM and he should have gone to the WC in 2014. If not for bonehead Klinsmann he would have

    Reply
    • Before the WC in 2014 78 matches 14g 7a with the Revs. In the 17 matches in 20014 after the WC 13g 4a. Lee never replicated that incredible form he ended 2014 with again. You could certainly argue he deserved more of a chance at the beginning of the 2018 cycle but to have chosen him for 2014 would have required a crystal ball.

      Reply

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