Sept. 9, 2000 – Joe Franchino scores two goals, Revolution finish regular season with .500 record for first time

Fernando Clavijo appeared to be building a successful team as the Revolution struggled to overcome a slow start to their MLS existence (losing seasons from 1996-99).

Sept. 9, 2000 – Revolution v NY/NJ MetroStars 4×3 (Att.: 20,419)

Franchino scored twice, his first Revolution goals, as the team finished with a 13-13-6 record. Imad Baba’s sixth-minute penalty kick opened the scoring and 20-year-old Jamar Beasley added his third goal of the season. After the match, Revolution owner Jonathan Kraft said: “William [Sunsing] and Jamar and Wolde Harris are going to be big stars in this town. They are exciting and fun to watch and great athletes. This team is exciting to watch when we have the full complement of players.”

That would be the last goal Beasley would score for the Revolution. Harris totaled 24 goals (one more than Baba) in 91 regular-season games, 11^th on the Revolution all-time list. Sunsing returned to Costa Rica after the ’01 season, going on to score five goals in 35 appearances for the Tico national team.

Franchino became the team captain under coach Steve Nicol, converting five goals in 162 regular-season appearances for the Revolution, then becoming coach of the Foxboro High School soccer team.

The Revolution had advanced under Clavijo’s guidance, going on to win an MLS playoff match for the first time. But the season ended on a down note (a 6-0 playoff loss to the Chicago Fire on Sept. 22, 2000) and the team started slowly in 2001 and ’02.

Sept. 9, 1997 – MetroStars 3:1 Revolution at Giants Stadium (Att.: 10,510)

Revolution set team record with 10-game losing streak all competitions

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY