New England Soccer Today

PHOTOS: #1 Revs Moment of 2013

MOMENT #1: The Revolution reach the postseason for the first time in four years.

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

After missing the postseason in each of its last three seasons, the Revolution entered 2013 hopeful that they could put an end to their playoff drought.

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

A season-opening win at Chicago provided a promising start, but it wasn’t long after that patch of poor form nearly derailed their hopes altogether.

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Despite a 2-4-4 record through mid-May, and an offense in need of serious firepower, the defense rose the occasion as it collected clean sheets in five of its first eight games.

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Just when it appeared that the postseason wasn’t meant to be in 2013, the offense came alive. Diego Fagundez and newly-acquired striker Juan Agudelo found goals aplenty, while Kelyn Rowe’s long distance blasts befuddled opposing keepers.

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Meanwhile, the defense continued to hold its end of the bargain. Jose Goncalves became a shut down center back, and Matt Reis – who lost the starting job earlier in the season – re-emerged as one of the top keepers in the league.

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

When it was all said and done, the Revoluton earned a third place finish thanks to a 14-11-9 (51 points) record – its best since 2007. Although they were bounced from the playoffs by eventual champion Sporting K.C., the 2013 season delivered a refreshing dose of optimism to Foxborough that’ll certainly carry over into 2014.

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