March 3, 1997 – Revolution waive Geoff Aunger and Mark Watson

Geoff Aunger and Mark Watson, along with Iain Fraser, made up the Revolution’s Canadian contingency in the team’s first season. Aunger scored the Revolution’s first goal in their inaugural home game, a 79^th-minute penalty kick in a 1-1 draw with D.C. United, the Revolution winning the post-match shootout before a 32,864 crowd at Foxboro Stadium April 27, 1996. Aunger, who had playing for the Vancouver 86ers before being selected in the 13^th round of the initial MLS Draft, provided consistency and leadership in midfield. Watson had been acquired from the Columbus Crew to provide depth in central defense behind Alexi Lalas and Francis Okaroh.

Before the Revolution’s second season, Thomas Rongen waived the Canadians, hoping to use foreign spots for players such as Carlos Valderrama. And the deal was close enough to being finalized that the Revolution had prepared a Valderrama jersey, before Valderrama turned down the deal because of family reasons.

Both Aunger (Luton Town, Chester City, Stockport Country) and Watson (Watford, Oxford United, Oldham Athletic) played in England, and later for D.C. United in MLS. Aunger won the 1999 MLS Cup for the Rongen-coach United at Foxboro Stadium. Aunger became a New York-based financial advisor. Watson returned to the Revolution briefly as an assistant coach late in Steve Nicol’s reign (not sure that is listed anywhere – Nicol tried to bring in a couple of top-notch assistants, including Adrian Heath, but Revolution’s offers were too low), then coached the San Jose Earthquakes, and is now a Minnesota United assistant. (Chris Aduama photo)

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY