March 21, 2009 – Kheli Dube’s 55th-minute goal gives Revolution season-opening win. Origins of MLS ‘live streaming,’ YouTube replay

In 22 years of existence, the Revolution have won five season-openers – one since Kheli Dube’s goal made the difference in a 1-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2009 opener. Dube totaled 19 goals in 91 matches in all competitions for the Revolution. Dube played for the Revolution from 2008-11 and was on the squad during the ’08 CONCACAF Champions Cup, but did not participate in the team’s two-game campaign. Dube did compete in the African Champions Cup as a member of the Zimbabwe club Highlanders FC of Bulawayo. Dube’s experience (combination of international and collegiate), plus his timing and finishing ability made him an effective player in MLS. Dube was prolific both at home, totaling 11 goals at Gillette Stadium (tied with Landon Donovan for 12^th on the all-time list), and away.

Dube converted his first Revolution road goal on the rebound of a Shalrie Joseph 89^th-minute penalty kick, saved by William Hesmer, in a 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew May 24, 2008. Dube was cautioned after the conversion (I believe it was for excessive celebration – though, considering the drama of the late-game score, the first Revolution away PK since 2003, his dancing commemoration, along with Joseph, was relatively tame. But the celebration, including an alleged Joseph taunt, occurred in front of the Crew’s most passionate supporter section, and at least one disappointed and offended fan reacted with racist comments and was handed disciplinary measures, the verdict validated by a YouTube video. This action, plus the second-half launching of liquids, solids and smoke bombs at Steve Ralston as he attempted corner kicks played a strong role in leading to a relocation of supporters at Crew Stadium. According to my story in May 27, 2009 editions of the Boston Globe, these were early days in the evolution of U.S. supporter passion spilling over into missile-tossing – the custom began with streamers being sent onto the field at Toronto FC, and exuberant Crew fans apparently took things up a notch, finding league and stadium officials unprepared. You could term this the country’s first experience with extensive reality – not digital – “live streaming.” The Crew-Revolution rivalry had produced many tense moments, starting during the 1996 season, when a large-scale pitch invasion resulted from a late goal at Ohio Stadium).

After moving to the Chicago Fire in the re-entry draft, Dube returned to his family’s base in Durban, South Africa, joining AmaZulu under Swedish coach Roger Palmgren, then concluding his career with Chicken Inn FC in Zimbabwe. Chris Aduama photo

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY