Across Major League Soccer, there are some very peculiar names. In Europe, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle are as far as it goes. Meanwhile, MLS boasts the Sounders, the Timbers, the Galaxy and the Earthquakes. Another of those is the New England Revolution name based in Boston, Massachusetts. But where does the origin of that name lie?
Who are the New England Revolution?
A brief history
Starting first with a brief history of the New England Revolution and their life in MLS. There were 10 clubs that competed in the very first year of the competition, back in 1996, and the Revs were one of them. In nearly three decades, the league has expanded with there now being fourteen teams in each of the two conferences.
Alongside the New England Revolution, the other 9 originals were Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas), D.C. United, New York/New Jersey MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls), Kansas City Wiz/Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City), LA Galaxy, San Jose Clash (now San Jose Earthquakes) and Tampa Bay Mutiny.
1996 ↔️ 2020
Originals. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8amp6BHQAB
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 6, 2020
Whilst the New England Revolution currently play their home games at Gillette Stadium, that hasn’t always been the case. Up until 2001, they played at Foxboro Stadium, which has now been demolished. The Revs aren’t the only team that operate out of Gillette, with their owners also owning the New England Patriots. Robert Kraft, and son Jonathan, have both the MLS team and the NFL team.
Along with last season’s Supporters Shield, they have the 2007 U.S Open Cup and 2008 North American SuperLiga to their name. On top of this, they have been runner-up numerous times, five times in MLS Cup to be exact.
Origins of the New England Revolution name
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) November 4, 2021
Photo Credit: New England Revolution on November 4, 2021.
Focusing on the name, the New England Revolution. New England is of course the location of the team and the Revolution refers to exactly that, the American Revolution. This region in Massachusetts played a major role in the early stages of the American Revolution and then went on to be a stronghold of the conservative Federalist Party for a long while.
The Revolution ended in 1783 but New England remained integral throughout the following centuries for several things. Along with playing a major role in the Industrial Revolution, it was at the heart of the anti-slavery movement by the 1840s.
The American Revolution is at the core of the nation’s history. It may have been over two centuries ago, but it is still evident throughout society today. There is of course the infamous Boston Tea Party that goes with all of this too. The Tea Party was another means of revolution, this against the British Parliament’s Tea Act. Here is born the New England Revolution whose name can and should be taken very literally when it comes to the historical implications.
