What Is 2014 New England Revolution season

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 New England Revolution season marked the team's 19th in Major League Soccer, finishing 5th in the Eastern Conference with a 12–14–8 record and reaching the MLS Cup final for the first time since 2007, where they lost 2–1 to LA Galaxy.

Key Facts

Finished 5th in the Eastern Conference with 44 points
Posted a 12–14–8 regular season record
Advanced to MLS Cup final after 7-year drought
Lost 2–1 to LA Galaxy in championship match
Jay Heaps was head coach for the fourth consecutive season

Overview

The 2014 New England Revolution season was the franchise’s 19th in Major League Soccer, representing a turning point after several years of missing the playoffs. Under head coach Jay Heaps, the team returned to postseason contention with a resilient campaign that culminated in an unexpected run to the MLS Cup final.

The Revolution finished fifth in the Eastern Conference with 44 points from 34 matches, securing a playoff berth for the first time since 2011. Their journey through the playoffs defied expectations, overcoming higher-seeded teams to reach the championship match, a feat not accomplished by the club since 2007.

Regular season record: The Revolution posted a 12–14–8 record, with 44 points earned from 12 wins, 14 losses, and 8 draws across 34 matches.
Home and away splits: They performed better at home, winning 8 of 17 matches at Gillette Stadium compared to just 4 wins on the road.
Playoff qualification: New England secured the final Eastern Conference playoff spot by finishing 5th, just one point ahead of the Columbus Crew.
MLS Cup run: As the lowest-seeded playoff team, they advanced by defeating Columbus Crew and then-seeded Philadelphia Union before losing in the final.
Final match outcome: The team lost 2–1 to LA Galaxy in the MLS Cup final on December 7, 2014, at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

How It Works

The structure of Major League Soccer’s season and playoff format shaped the Revolution’s 2014 campaign, from regular-season performance to postseason advancement.

Regular season format: Each team plays 34 matches in a balanced schedule; points are awarded as 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss.
Playoff qualification: The top 6 teams in each conference qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, with seeding based on total points earned.
Knockout rounds: The playoffs use a single-elimination format, meaning a loss in any round ends a team’s season.
Home-field advantage: Higher-seeded teams host playoff matches, giving them crowd support and field familiarity.
MLS Cup final: The championship is a single match hosted by the higher-seeded team, though in 2014 it was held at a neutral site—StubHub Center.
Goal differential: Used as a tiebreaker if teams are level on points; the Revolution had a -5 goal difference in 2014.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2014 season is best understood by comparing it to the Revolution’s previous campaigns and league-wide performance.

Season	Record (W-L-D)	Points	Conference Rank	Playoff Result
2011	12–11–9	45	4th East	Did not qualify
2012	12–14–8	44	7th East	Did not qualify
2013	10–15–9	39	9th East	Did not qualify
2014	12–14–8	44	5th East	MLS Cup Final
2015	10–14–10	40	8th East	Did not qualify

This comparison shows that while the 2014 team had a similar record to 2012, their fifth-place finish and playoff success marked a significant improvement. Their run to the final was especially notable given their underdog status and inconsistent regular-season form, highlighting the unpredictability of single-elimination playoffs.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season remains a pivotal moment in New England Revolution history, symbolizing both resurgence and near-triumph.

End of playoff drought: The team ended a three-year absence from the postseason, reigniting fan interest and organizational confidence.
MLS Cup appearance: It was their first championship match since 2007, making it their most successful season in nearly a decade.
Underdog narrative: As the lowest-seeded team in the East, their playoff run captured national attention and admiration.
Player performances: Diego Fagúndez and Lee Nguyen emerged as key contributors, with Nguyen scoring 11 goals and providing 11 assists.
Coaching impact: Jay Heaps’ leadership was validated, earning him consideration for MLS Coach of the Year despite the final loss.
Legacy: Though they didn’t win, the season laid groundwork for future competitiveness and remains a benchmark for the franchise.

The 2014 New England Revolution season demonstrated that perseverance and tactical discipline could lead to deep playoff runs, even without elite regular-season results. It remains a defining chapter in the club’s history.