Feb. 2, 1997 – Revolution select Scott Coufal in 2nd round of MLS draft

The plan was for Scott Coufal to learn the trade from Walter Zenga, but after Zenga sustained a knee injury, Coufal became the Revolution’s starter. The timing was bad, as the Revolution were in a mid-season slump and would sustain a 10-game losing streak, recovering only after Zenga’s return. Coufal started in goal for three games of the streak, then the Revolution brought in Jeff Causey, who would go on to become a regular with the team through 2002, but could do little to prevent the losses from continuing.

Revolution coach Thomas Rongen had gambled with Coufal as Zenga’s backup. An alternative might have been Khalil Azmi, who had been Morocco’s starter in the 1994 World Cup and had remained in the Boston area, acquiring a green card. With Zenga in goal, the Revolution rallied to clinch their first MLS playoff berth.

On draft day, the Revolution also selected Sam George and Steve Klein and lost midfielder Paulo Dos Santos to Tampa Bay in the supplemental draft. Dos Santos was among the better local prospects, growing up in Brockton and playing at Mt. Ida College and URI. Dos Santos had two stints under four Revolution coaches, but only seemed to convince Steve Nicol, who was in an interim role in 1999, playing Dos Santos as a starter for the final two games. Dos Santos went on to play for Cape Verde’s national team and had a successful career in Norway.

TODAY IN NE SOCCER HISTORY