Sept. 2, 2008 – Revolution 0:4 Joe Public FC, Revolution’s first CCL home match (Att.: 3,523)

This was the New England Revolution’s third appearance in the CONCACAF event, and could have been their best chance to advance. The Revolution surrendered the home leg in its first two Champions Cup appearances, against LD Alajuelense in 2003 and ’06, due mostly to weather concerns, as the first round matches were scheduled in March. With the away goals rule in effect, the Revolution attained what could be considered their best first leg result in the competition, falling, 2-1, to Joe Public in Macoya, Trinidad, on Aug. 26, 2008.

But the Revolution collapsed at home, Guyanese striker Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson completing a hat trick and Reon Nelson converting once. Richardson went on to play briefly for the Colorado Rapids, then the Carolina RailHawks. The Joe Public FC team was managed by the sons of CONCACAF president Jack Warner, at the time a FIFA vice president.

The Revolution, participating in four competitions in 2008 (MLS, CCL, SuperLiga, U.S. Open Cup), fell apart in the final months of the season, signaling the end of a successful cycle that began in 2002.

Aug. 26, 2008 – Joe Public FC 2:1 Revolution, CCL at Marvin Lee Stadium, Macaya, Trinidad (Att.: 2,100)

Mauricio Castro’s 76^th-minute penalty kick cut the deficit after Joe Public had taken the lead on goals by Richardson and substitute Jamal Gay.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY