June 26, 1996 – Revolution acquire John Kerr Jr. from Dallas Burn in exchange for Zak Ibsen

Kerr’s arrival would help the New England Revolution’s offense, and also have long-term implications for New England soccer. While playing for the Revolution, Kerr worked as an assistant coach at Wellesley High School in 1997. Kerr then coached the A League Worcester Wildfire in 1998 and the Boston Bulldogs, starting in 1999. While with the Bulldogs, Kerr recruited Steve Nicol, who took over as player-coach after Kerr was named head coach at Harvard University. Kerr hired Paul Mariner as a Harvard assistant in 2003, Mariner going on to become Nicol’s assistant with the Revolution from 2004-09.

Kerr said pairing Nicol and Mariner on a coaching staff was the European equivalent of having Larry Bird and Ray Bourque together.

Kerr totaled four goals in 26 games for the Revolution in the 1996, ’97 and ’99 seasons, the first deciding a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Kerr, who played at Duke University and totaled two goals in 16 appearances for the U.S. national team, has been coaching the Blue Devils since 2007.

July 4, 1996 – LA Galaxy v Revolution 0:1, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif. (Att.: 62,703). First Revolution Independence Day win

Kerr made a sliding finish just ahead of future Revolution defender Dan Calichman, the sequence set up by a Welton run and a wide Darren Sawatzky shot.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY