March 12, 2016 – Earliest Revolution home-opener. Revolution 0x0 D.C. Utd.

The New England Revolution played to their fourth successive scoreless draw in a home-opener. The Revolution extended their scoreless streak to 449 minutes, dating to Saer Sene’s first-minute goal in a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers March 24, 2012, and their shutout streak to 450 minutes, in home-openers.

The Revolution produced plenty of chances, including a 55^th-minute Lee Nguyen shot off the bar. But this game helped set the tone for the season, the Revolution failing to break through offensively until a late tactical change, switching to a 4-4-2 alignment.

Often, home-openers have been a difficult proposition for the Revolution. In the early years of the team, management attempted to start the home season as late as possible – the 1996 home season did not kick off until April 27 – and the planning paid off at the gate, crowds of 32,864 and 57,407 (U.S. v. Mexico doubleheader) arriving in the first two years. But the Revolution often struggled in home-openers, going 4W-5L-2D through 2006. Since then, the Revolution have have record of 6W-0L-4D (16-3 goal differential) in their first home match of the season.

More Revolution home-opener stats:

— Taylor Twellman holds the mark for most goals with six, followed by Zach Schilawski with four;

— The Revolution have outscored opponents, 32-17, in home-openers, the goals produced by 17 players. No active Revolution player has scored in the team’s home-opener.

Last Saturday was set to establish the date for the Revolution’s earliest home-opener, the match postponed because of weather. But you could have had 8 to 1 odds on a 0-0 draw. Probably, an odds maker somewhere would have set a number for a postponement; wonder if anyone thought to check that out.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY