March 10, 1997 – Revolution trade Welton to Galaxy for draft pick; cut Iain Fraser, Aidan Heaney, Peter Woodring

After a disastrous on-field performance during the Revolution’s inaugural season, the team went for a near complete restructuring. Only three starters from 1996 opening day (3-2 loss at Tampa Bay) remained – Mike Burns, Alexi Lalas and Alberto Naveda.

Aidan Heaney played in the ’96 opener, entering as an 89^th-minute replacement for Jim St. Andre, who had been red-carded. Heaney made 18 starts, and was in goal for the final game of the season, a 1-0 loss to the Columbus Crew, which cost the Revolution a chance for a playoff berth. Heaney went on to the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, where he coached current Revolution ‘keeper Brad Knighton. Chris Aduama photo

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY