April 17, 2004 – New England Revolution changing of the guard – Joe-Max Moore’s final home game, Clint Dempsey’s first start

Joe-Max Moore set up Taylor Twellman for the Revolution goal in the team’s home-opener, but it turned out he would play only one more game before sustaining a career-ending injury. Landon Donovan led the way with a goal and assist on an Arturo Alvarez finish for the reigning MLS Cup champion Earthquakes.

Revolution 1:3 San Jose Earthquakes

In April 28, 2004 editions of the Boston Globe, my story began:

“The Revolution should remain wary about playing on anything but real grass. Three of the team’s most accomplished players have sustained long-term injuries on artificial surfaces, the latest being Joe-Max Moore, who sprained his right knee Sunday and will miss at least six weeks of the Major League Soccer season.

“Moore departed after a collision with John Wolyniec in the 85th minute of a 1-1 tie with the MetroStars at Giants Stadium. Revolution striker Taylor Twellman broke his foot on Dallas’s synthetic field last October and defender Carlos Llamosa strained left knee ligaments during a preseason game on artificial turf in New Orleans last month.”

The Revolution roster was sorely tested in ’04. Dempsey played with a broken jaw, Shalrie Joseph with a broken nose, Twellman recovering from a broken foot, plus a possible concussion sustained in U.S. national team training. The Revolution played games with only two field players in reserve and in a June visit to Dallas had a total of two reserves – and no backup goalkeeper after Adin Brown had been injured during warmups. Chris Aduama photo

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY