Oct. 3, 2007 – FC Dallas 2:3 Revolution, U.S. Open Cup final at Pizza Hut Park (Att.: 10,618)

This was the fifth of six finals appearances for the New England Revolution over a six-year span, the only one they would win. It was also their third final in three years in Frisco, Texas. Pat Noonan scored a goal and set up two goals for the Revolution. Noonan (21^st) opened the scoring off a Steve Ralston cross. Arturo Alvarez (30^th) equalized and Taylor Twellman (41^st) gave the Revolution a 2-1 halftime lead with a sliding finish after Noonan flicked on a Ralston corner. Wells Thompson (57^th) upped the lead to 3-1 with a late run, finishing a Noonan back heel after a Noonan-Twellman breakaway, before Abe Thompson (64^th) finished the scoring.

“It’s the oldest tournament in the country and we’re delighted to win,” coach Steve Nicol said after the game. “We’ve been here twice and we didn’t want to lose again. It’s huge for the psyche and it’s a big weight off everyone’s shoulders. This should help us relax and win more of them.”

But the result did not signal a Revolution run on titles. The Revolution, who lost Open Cup finals to the Los Angeles Galaxy (2-1 aet) in 2001 and FC Dallas (4-2) in 2016, also lost MLS Cup finals in 2002, 2005, ’06, ’07 and ’14.

Jay Heaps was hoping for a better future, according to my Boston Globe story:

“This doesn’t make up for the losses,” said defender Jay Heaps, who has played in all five finals. “But it is a boost for our psyche. We have been so unlucky in finals and to get a good win is great. It’s not about demons and ghosts, it’s about going out and playing. You don’t change hotel rooms and do things different. It’s all about playing and keeping things the same way.

“We’ve been to finals but we haven’t been able to enjoy it. It’s an inspiration to win it and makes us just want to keep going. And to do it without Shalrie [Joseph] and Avery [John] shows this team has a lot of heart. Hopefully, this is a warm-up, an appetizer for the rest of the year. We want to give D.C. United a run for the Supporters Shield and go for the MLS Cup.”

The Revolution failed to re-sign Dorman, John and Noonan after the season but had enough left to win the 2008 SuperLiga, their last finals appearance until the 2014 MLS Cup.

Oct. 3, 2007    FC DALLAS-NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION 2-3

FC DALLAS: Sala; Moor, Goodson, Serioux, Wagenfuhr (Cooper 77^’); Dax McCarthy, Pablo Ricchetti (Alex Yi 46^’, Abe Thompson 64^’), Toja; Dominic Oduro, Ruiz, Arturo Alvarez.

REVOLUTION: Reis; Heaps, Parkhurst, Riley; Thompson (Cristman 78^’), Ralston, Larentowicz, Dorman, Smith; Noonan, Twellman.

Referee: Alex Prus. Goals: Noonan 21^’, Alvarez 30^’, Twellman 41^’, W. Thompson 57^’, A. Thompson 64^’. A: 10,618.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY