What Is 2015 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 2015 New England Revolution season was their 20th in Major League Soccer, finishing 5th in the Eastern Conference with a 13–13–8 record and reaching the MLS Cup final, where they lost 2–1 to the Portland Timbers on December 6, 2015.

Key Facts

The Revolution finished 5th in the Eastern Conference with 52 points in 2015.
They reached the MLS Cup final, their first since 2007, on December 6, 2015.
New England posted a regular-season record of 13 wins, 13 losses, and 8 draws.
Djimi Niang scored 7 goals, leading the team in scoring during the regular season.
The team played home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Overview

The 2015 season marked the 20th year of the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer, making them one of the league’s original franchises still active. Under head coach Jay Heaps, the team returned to playoff contention after missing the postseason in 2014, showing significant improvement in both defense and midfield cohesion.

The Revolution advanced to the MLS Cup final for the first time in eight years, capturing regional attention and energizing their fan base. Despite falling short in the final, the campaign was considered a success due to their resilience and unexpected playoff run.

Regular-season record: The team finished with a 13–13–8 record, accumulating 52 points and securing 5th place in the Eastern Conference.
Home venue: All home matches were played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which has a soccer capacity of approximately 20,000.
Top scorer: Forward Djimi Niang led the team with 7 goals during the regular season and added 2 more in the playoffs.
Head coach:Jay Heaps entered his fourth season as head coach, emphasizing player development and tactical flexibility throughout the year.
Playoff journey: New England defeated the Columbus Crew and the Philadelphia Union in the playoffs to reach the MLS Cup final on December 6, 2015.

How It Works

The structure of the MLS season and playoff format shaped the Revolution’s path in 2015, combining regular-season performance with knockout-style postseason matches.

Regular Season Format:34 games were played from March to October, with teams earning 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw to determine playoff qualification.
Playoff Qualification: The top six teams in each conference advanced; New England secured the 5th seed in the East with 52 points.
Knockout Rounds: The playoffs used a single-elimination format, where the Revolution beat Columbus 2–1 in the knockout round.
Conference Semifinals: New England defeated the Philadelphia Union 4–3 on aggregate over two legs to advance to the Eastern Conference Final.
Conference Final: The Revolution won 2–1 on aggregate against the New York Red Bulls to earn their first MLS Cup berth since 2007.
MLS Cup Final: Played at Columbus Crew Stadium, the final ended 2–1 in favor of the Portland Timbers, despite New England’s strong effort.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2015 season compared to previous notable campaigns for the Revolution:

Season	Regular-Season Record	Points	Playoff Result	Top Scorer (Goals)
2015	13–13–8	52	MLS Cup Final (Lost)	Djimi Niang (7)
2014	10–13–11	41	Did not qualify	Jermaine Jones (6)
2007	14–11–7	49	MLS Cup Final (Lost)	Taylor Twellman (12)
2005	11–12–9	45	MLS Cup Final (Lost)	Taylor Twellman (13)
2002	12–11–3	48	MLS Cup Final (Lost)	Joseph Addo (6)

The 2015 season stood out for its improvement over 2014 and matched the team’s best playoff result in nearly a decade. While they didn’t win the title, reaching the final revitalized interest in the franchise and highlighted progress under Heaps’ leadership.

Why It Matters

The 2015 campaign was a pivotal moment in the Revolution’s modern history, demonstrating that sustained competitiveness was possible even without a star-heavy roster.

Resurgence of fan support: Attendance and local media coverage increased significantly after the team’s deep playoff run.
Player development: The season validated the club’s investment in younger players like Scott Caldwell and Chris Tierney.
Coaching validation: Jay Heaps earned praise for tactical adjustments, especially in high-pressure playoff matches.
Regional pride: As the only MLS team in New England, their success strengthened regional sports identity.
MLS Cup exposure: The final drew over 25,000 fans and national TV coverage, raising the team’s profile.
Foundation for future: Though they didn’t win, the 2015 season laid groundwork for future roster and strategic decisions.

Ultimately, the 2015 New England Revolution season remains a benchmark for resilience and near-success in the club’s history, symbolizing a return to relevance in Major League Soccer.