What Is 2017 New England Revolution season

Overview

The 2017 New England Revolution season marked the club's 22nd year in Major League Soccer (MLS), continuing a streak of playoff droughts that extended to five consecutive seasons. Competing in the Eastern Conference, the team struggled with consistency, finishing with a losing record and failing to secure a postseason berth under head coach Brad Friedel.

Despite some promising performances early in the season, the Revolution faltered in the second half, particularly in defense, which conceded 52 goals—the third-worst in the conference. The campaign was defined by managerial instability, underperformance from key signings, and a lack of goal-scoring depth beyond a few contributors.

• Final record: The team finished with 11 wins, 15 losses, and 8 draws, accumulating 41 points over 34 games in the 2017 MLS regular season.
• Eastern Conference standing: Ranked 9th out of 11 teams, placing them well outside the top six required for playoff qualification.
• Home venue: All home matches were played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which has a soccer capacity of approximately 20,000.
• Head coach:Brad Friedel, former U.S. national team goalkeeper, was in his second full season but was dismissed after the campaign ended.
• Top scorer: Forward Juan Agudelo led the team with 7 goals in 30 appearances, while newcomer Kei Kamara added 6 goals in 23 games.

Performance Breakdown

The 2017 season showcased both flashes of potential and persistent structural issues, particularly in midfield control and defensive organization. While the team started strong with a 4–2–2 record in their first eight matches, a midseason slump and poor away form derailed playoff hopes.

• Early momentum: The Revolution earned 14 points from their first 8 games, creating optimism about a potential turnaround under Friedel’s leadership.
• Defensive struggles: Conceded 52 goals over 34 games, averaging 1.53 goals per game allowed, one of the worst defensive records in MLS.
• Road performance: Managed only 2 wins in 17 away matches, highlighting difficulties in maintaining consistency outside Gillette Stadium.
• Midfield instability: Key midfielder Scott Caldwell missed significant time due to injury, weakening central control and transition play.
• Transfer impact: The acquisition of Kei Kamara from Columbus Crew SC brought experience, but he scored just 6 goals in his debut season.
• Youth integration: Rookie Tobenna Uzo and academy product Jeremy Wuorinen saw limited minutes, reflecting a lack of investment in youth development.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 season compared poorly to both recent and historic Revolution campaigns, especially when measuring playoff qualification and offensive output. The table below contrasts key metrics with the previous two seasons:

The data shows a consistent decline in offensive production and defensive stability since the last playoff appearance in 2014. While points totals in 2017 mirrored those of 2013 and 2016, the team's inability to win away games and convert chances proved decisive.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a pivotal moment in the Revolution's modern era, signaling the need for major organizational changes. Poor results, coaching turnover, and fan dissatisfaction culminated in a front-office overhaul the following year.

• Coaching change:Brad Friedel was fired in November 2017, ending a two-year tenure marked by a 25–37–12 record.
• Front office shift: In 2019, former player Bruce Arena was hired as coach and sporting director, initiating a rebuild.
• Attendance impact: Average home attendance dropped to 17,211, down from peaks above 20,000 in earlier years.
• Player development: The lack of youth integration in 2017 contrasted with later success, such as DeJuan Jones and Taylor Otto in subsequent seasons.
• Rebuilding phase: The 2017 season laid the groundwork for a strategic shift toward drafting and player development over high-profile signings.
• Legacy impact: This season is remembered as a low point that ultimately led to long-term structural improvements in scouting and management.

Ultimately, the 2017 campaign served as a catalyst for change, setting the stage for a more sustainable model that would later yield improved performances in the early 2020s.