What Is 2013 New England Revolution season

Overview

The 2013 New England Revolution season marked a turning point for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club, ending a four-year playoff drought. After missing the postseason from 2010 to 2012, the team returned to the MLS Cup Playoffs under head coach Jay Heaps, who was in his third season at the helm.

Playing their home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the Revolution finished the regular season with a balanced 13–13–8 record. Despite strong individual performances, they were eliminated in the Knockout Round, continuing their long championship drought.

• Final record: The team ended the season with 13 wins, 13 losses, and 8 ties, accumulating 47 points from 34 matches.
• Playoff qualification: They secured the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference, earning a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2009.
• Top scorer: French forward Saer Sène led the team with 7 goals in all competitions, though no player reached double-digit goals.
• Home and away splits: The Revolution posted a 8–6–3 record at Gillette Stadium but struggled on the road with a 5–7–5 mark.
• Knockout Round exit: They were defeated 2–1 by the Columbus Crew on November 2, 2013, ending their playoff run in the first round.

How It Works

The 2013 MLS season operated under a conference-based structure with a points system determining playoff qualification. Teams earned three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss, with tiebreakers used for standings.

• Regular season format: Each team played 34 matches, a mix of intra-conference and inter-conference games, with scheduling based on MLS rotation rules.
• Playoff qualification: The top five teams in each conference advanced to the postseason, with seeding based on total points.
• Knockout Round: The 4th vs. 5th place teams in each conference played a single-elimination match, with the winner advancing to the Conference Semifinals.
• Player transfers: The Revolution signed Lee Nguyen from the Houston Dynamo in January 2013, who contributed 5 goals and 9 assists.
• Defensive performance: The team allowed 50 goals, one of the worst defensive records in the league, undermining their playoff chances.
• Attendance: Average attendance at Gillette Stadium was 17,812 fans per game, ranking mid-tier in the MLS.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 Revolution compared to recent seasons and conference rivals:

The 2013 season showed modest improvement over the previous three years, particularly in playoff qualification. However, the team still lagged behind Eastern Conference powerhouses like D.C. United and Sporting Kansas City. The lack of a consistent offensive threat and defensive instability remained persistent issues, preventing deeper playoff runs.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was significant as it signaled a potential resurgence for a franchise that had not advanced past the MLS Cup semifinals since 2007. While the playoff appearance was a milestone, the early exit underscored ongoing challenges in team development and roster depth.

• End of playoff drought: The appearance in 2013 ended a four-year absence from the postseason, restoring some fan confidence.
• Emergence of young talent: Players like Diego Fagúndez (6 goals) showed promise, indicating a shift toward youth development.
• Coaching continuity: Jay Heaps retained his role, allowing for longer-term tactical implementation beyond a single season.
• Transfer strategy: The signing of Lee Nguyen proved successful, validating the club’s focus on experienced MLS players.
• Attendance trends: Steady crowd numbers suggested consistent local support despite on-field struggles.
• Foundation for future: The season laid groundwork for future playoff runs in 2014 and 2019, even if immediate success was limited.

Ultimately, the 2013 campaign was a transitional year—modest in results but important in rebuilding momentum for the New England Revolution franchise.