Why the Revolution are expecting their biggest crowd on the last day of the season
It isn't because their playoff chances are good.
The Revolution are going into their final game of the year with virtually no chance of qualifying for the MLS playoffs. Yet, the biggest crowd of the season is expected to arrive for a match against the Montreal Impact at 4 p.m. Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
So, what gives? Are fans expecting the Revolution to miraculously overcome a 12-goal differential with the Philadelphia Union and slide into the playoffs for a fourth straight time? Are the Revolution front office people just good at selling the team?
Part of the reason for a probable near-40,000 crowd is advance sales. Fans might have been expecting this to be meaningful for the Revolution’s playoff standing, or they might simply want to get their money’s worth, having not used up their multiple-game ticket package.
Regardless, there is a history for significant final-game Revolution crowds. In the team’s first 20 years, the last regular-season game average attendance is 22,927. That number might be higher, but the Sept. 15, 2001 finale was canceled after terrorist attacks four days previous.
Going back, the Revolution’s predecessor, the New England Tea Men, drew 25,132 for what turned out to be their last regular-season match at Foxboro Stadium in 1980. The Revolution’s inaugural season finale attracted 38,633 for a must-win match against the Columbus Crew Sept. 21, 1996. The Revolution lost that game, 1-0, failing to qualify for the playoffs.
There have also been some poorly-attended last games of the season, such as the 11,182 total for a match against the Chicago Fire in 2005, despite favorable circumstances. That year, the Revolution produced their best record ever with a group featuring performers such as Clint Dempsey, Shalrie Joseph, Steve Ralston, Taylor Twellman; a total of nine players who would compete for the U.S. national team, plus several others of international caliber.
Usually, though, the numbers are high. A 32,766 crowd arrived for the Revolution-Toronto FC finale in 2014, partly inspired by a playoff run led by Jermaine Jones. Last year, a crowd of 42,947 showed for the Revolution’s finale against Montreal.
The Revolution’s failure to remain in viable playoff contention could affect attendance Sunday, but president Brian Bilello believes the total could increase the team’s average attendance to more than 20,000 for the first time. The Revolution are averaging 18,972 through 16 home dates and would need a 37,000-plus total to reach 20,000 per game.
“It’s going to be tough for us to get into the playoffs, given that we have to make up more than 10 goals, and get a win,” Bilello said Thursday. “I think fans know that, and that will keep attendance lower than if the game mattered a bit more. But we’re still certainly going to have a great crowd and we want to send them off the right way. Hitting that 20,000 number is a really cool thing, it would be nice to hit that threshold this year.”
Like the rest of MLS, the Revolution seem to have become an established part of the sporting landscape.
“The micro burst we get the last couple games of the year is very much group sales driven,” Bilello said. “Average attendance for the year, how that’s been going up, that’s been driven by season tickets. Fans see how the team’s performed and, we’re not where we want to be right now, but over the last five years we’ve put an exciting and fun team on the field, and fans have reacted to that.
“Certainly, the Cup run (in 2014), people got excited about that, and the team we put together and a lot of the players we still have. And, operationally, we’ve done a really good job connecting with our fans. The sport is growing, MLS is growing, and I think we’re being captured in that. Back, five years ago, we were selling group tickets to youth soccer, but I think it was more of a one-off. People would bring their kid to a game and it was what it was – but I think if you look around the stadium now, the mom, the dad they’re wearing Revs hats, they’re wearing Revs shirts. I coach my daughter and you go to the field, kids are wearing Revs gear, and now you see adults wearing Revs gear. We’re seeing adult engagement. It’s not just something like they’re bringing their kids because their kids like it – the adults are more engaged with soccer and with the Revolution.”
Playoffs or not, fans can expect the Revolution to do well in this match. In 20-plus seasons, the Revolution have averaged 1.38 points per game. In season-ending home games, they have an 11-6-2 record, totaling 35 points in 19 matches (1.84 points per game).
Plus, there is the chance for the game to be a milestone event. In the 2014, the Revolution’s final game of the season turned out to be Thierry Henry’s farewell to the sport as the New York Red Bulls were eliminated from the playoffs. U.S. national teamers Chris Armas (2007), Marcelo Balboa (2002) and Tab Ramos (’02) also ended their careers in a season-ender at Gillette Stadium. This time, it could be Didier Drogba’s turn with Montreal. And there are questions about the return of Revolution players such as former MLS defender of the year Jose Gonçalves.
“They’ve been there rain or shine,” Revolution forward Diego Fagundez said of the supporters. “We have not had the season we wanted to have and we are disappointed, of course. We all know where we stand, we know it and the (fans) know it. But they like to support us no matter what, and we just have to make sure we finish strong Sunday. We’ll be fighting to make them happy.”
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