The Revolution entered a busy off-season following their 1999 campaign, in which they'd missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. On October 12, 1999, the Revolution named Sunil Gulati managing director of Kraft Soccer and appointed Brian O’Donovan as chief operating officer.[2] Following the dismissal of Walter Zenga on September 30, the Revolution appointed Fernando Clavijo as their fourth-ever manager (following Steve Nicol's interim stay at the end of the 1999 season).[3][4] Renato Capobianco joined Clavijo's staff as an assistant on December 7, and on January 5, Derek Aframe would join the front office as the Vice President of Operations.[5]
Despite missing star striker Joe-Max Moore, who had signed for Everton F.C. in November, Clavijo's Revolution got off to a strong start to the season, dropping only four of their opening fifteen matches.[1] The season opened on March 18 with a 1–1 draw away to the Miami Fusion, courtesy of an Imad Baba 80th minute equalizing goal.[1] The Revolution's first win came in the season home opener, 2-1, thanks to a brace from Baba.[1] In May the club went on a five-game unbeaten run, the longest in their existence to that point.[10]
The club made several more acquisitions as the season progressed. Midfielder Joe Franchino signed for the club in May from the LA Galaxy, as part of a "special draft" that saw Luis Hernández join the Galaxy.[11]
After a six-game winless run mid-summer, the Revolution picked up only four wins in August and September, but still managed to clinch a playoff spot in the final game of the season; a 4–3 win over the MetroStars that saw a brace from Joe Franchino.[1] The Revolution concluded their regular season with a 13-13-6 record (W-L-D), their best in club history to that point.[13]
In the Revolution's second-ever playoff campaign, the club squared off against "Central Division" champion and overall 2nd-seed Chicago Fire in a best-of-three series. The Revolution took a 50th-minute lead in the opening game at Soldier Field, but conceded an own goal four minutes later, and lost on a 73rd minute Dema Kovalenko goal.[1] Four days later the Revolution leveled the tie, in a 2–1 home victory thanks to goals from Eric Wynalda and Mauricio Wright.[1] The match marked the fist playoff victory in Revolution history. Unfortunately in the final match of the tie, the Revolution conceded four first-half goals, en route to a 6-0 Fire victory, and the end of the Revolution's season.[14]
Squad
First-team squad
As of September 30, 2024.[1]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
1.^ Acquired FW Wolde Harris and a third-round pick in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for New England's first- and second-round picks in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft.
2.^ Acquired GK Juergen Sommer from the Columbus Crew in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft and future considerations.
3.^ Acquired DF Mauricio Wright from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for DF Mike Burns, DF Dan Calichman, and a first-round pick in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft.
4.^ Acquired FW Eric Wynalda and future draft considerations from the Miami Fusion in exchange for DF Ivan McKinley.
1.^ Acquired the Kansas City Wizards’ second-, third-, and fourth-round picks in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft in exchange for MF Jeff Baicher and the Revolution's third round pick in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft.
2.^ Acquired DF Mauricio Wright from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for DF Mike Burns, DF Dan Calichman, and a first-round pick in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft.
3.^ Acquired FW Eric Wynalda and future draft considerations from the Miami Fusion in exchange for DF Ivan McKinley.
