This is a bit delayed, but in case you missed it, earlier this week the Revolution welcomed 5 new trialists to training camp. Three of them are relatively unknown: Patrick Otte, Gabe Mercier, and Brandin McClay. Otte, a midfielder, currently plays for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL.

The Jay Heaps era got off to a winning start as the New England Revolution beat FC Tucson (Premier Development League) 2-0 in their 2012 preseason opener. Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally were the Revs goalscorers.

Instead of the traditional two 45-minute periods, the match featured two 35-minute periods followed by an additional 45-minute period.

The New England Revolution participated in their first scrimmage in 2012 against an outside opponent last night as they played the PDL side FC Tucson. Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally scored the Revs' 2 goals that helped them get the W. The game was a total of 115 minutes and was broken into three different periods of play.

Please note: Information from this report came from live Twitter accounts of the match from New England Revolution Staff Writer & Online Host Jeff Lemiux and PDL team FC Tucson.

The New England Revolution won its first preseason match, 2-1, against PDL expansion team FC Tucson in a modified 105 minute match on Saturday at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Ariz.

If you blinked, you missed it. The 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft came in went in the space of about an hour, all four rounds of picks proceeding along lightning fast while thousands of live-chatters pontificated on names they'd never heard before and will likely never hear again.

The New England Revolution entered this draft with a stated desire to pick up goalscorers.

Head Coach Jay Heaps oversees the first day of preseason practice at the Dana Farber Fieldhouse on Monday (Photo: Chris Aduama/Aduama.com).

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Jay Heaps couldn't wait to get his players together for the first practice of 2012.

On the first day MLS allows its clubs to convene for preseasons training, the new Revolution head coach was busy overseeing and instructing his squad at the Dana Farber Fieldhouse Monday afternoon.

Time for the 2011 season grades to (finally) continue! Corey, Matty, and I have looked at the four major areas of the team - goalkeeping, defense, midfield, forwards - and assigned our grades on a 4.0 scale.

Unfortunately for the New England Revolution, we don't curve based on the rest of the league.

The Revs already have their veteran leader in the back: Matt Reis. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

Over the past few seasons there seemed to be a general consensus that the New England Revolution needed a veteran in the back line to help guide its relatively young defense. Admittedly, I was a part of that group.

Ho ho ho! Continuing a new tradition started last year, the writers at New England Soccer Today gathered around the fireplace, munched on gingerbread cookies and compiled this Revolution Christmas list with cheer.

A dangerous winger (Brian) The mid-season signing of Monsef Zerka gave New England the cultured winger it lacked since the retirement of Steve Ralston.

Ho ho ho! Continuing a new tradition started last year, the writers at New England Soccer Today gathered around the fireplace, munched on gingerbread cookies and compiled this Revolution Christmas list with cheer.

A dangerous winger (Brian) The mid-season signing of Monsef Zerka gave New England the cultured winger it lacked since the retirement of Steve Ralston.

Revolution right back Kevin Alston keeps a close eye on Galaxy midfielder Miguel Lopez (Photo: Chris Aduama/aduama.com).

Heads down. Hands on hips. That was the unofficial pose of the Revolution defense in 2011.

After giving away goals at a philanthropic rate (58, the second-most in MLS last season) it's not a stretch to say that the biggest task head coach Jay Heaps faces this offseason is improving his team's porous D.

Photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

The MLS Generation adidas side continued its tour of the Netherlands with a 3-2 victory over second-division club FC Volendam on Tuesday.

Columbus Crew midfielder Dilly Duka scored his second goal of the tour, tallying off a free kick much like he did against the Ajax reserves in a 4-2 loss last week.

photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

The 2011 Generation adidas team began its three-game tour of the Netherlands on Thursday morning, but not in the fashion that it would have liked.

Ajax's reserve team defeated Generation adidas, 4-2, in a friendly in Amsterdam, according to MLS's twitter.

The Revolution used its second overall pick to select former University of Rhode Island midfielder Danleigh Borman from Toronto during Stage 1 of today's Re-entry Draft. Since Borman is out of contract, the league will extend a Bona Fide offer to him to play for the Revolution.

Borman played in 21 games for the Reds and recorded three assists in 2011.

Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

MLS announced the 18-man roster that will be making the trip to the Netherlands for the Generation adidas tour, with four players from the Philadelphia Union, up-and-coming Real Salt Lake midfielder Luis Gil and last year's No. 1 pick in the MLS SuperDraft, Omar Salgado, headlining the team.

Ahead of the 2012 MLS Expansion Draft, during which the Montreal Impact will be allowed to draft 10 unprotected players from MLS' 18 current teams, today the Revolution have released their list of 11 protected players of whom the Impact cannot select. The Revs' protected list is as follows:

• Kevin Alston
• Benny Feilhaber
• Shalrie Joseph
• Rajko Lekic
• Stephen McCarthy
• Sainey Nyassi
• Matt Reis
• Bobby Shuttleworth
• A.

Newly named head coach Jay Heaps and the New England Revolution made a few surprise decisions on their protected list ahead Wednesday's MLS Expansion Draft where the Montreal Impact will select ten players to continue building their new club.

Several big contributors to last year's squad, among them center back Darrius Barnes, midfielder Ryan Guy and forwards Milton Caraglio, the team's first Designated Player, and Kenny Mansally.

New England has some tough decisions to make in regards to the expansion draft. (Getty Images)

It may be the final week of the season but we are moving on in the 2011 Expansion Draft lists here. I've already covered the Vancouver Whitecaps and now I will tackle another club that is out of contention the New England Revolution.

By IAN HOLLIDAY

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Columbus Crew came into Gillette Stadium Saturday night knowing all it needed to secure a fourth consecutive playoff berth was a win over the last-placed New England Revolution. Ninety minutes and one of its more dominant performances of the year later, the Crew had done just that.

It was a beautiful night in New England and I took my daughter and her friend to see the New England Revolution play the San Jose Earthquakes. As usual we sat in The Fort, which was a lot smaller and quieter than earlier in the season. Whether that was due to the Revs overzealous policing of The Fort, or because of the Revs poor play this year, I don't know.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Diego Fagundez became the youngest player in New England Revolution history to start a match and go the full 90, but his night was overshadowed by the predatory instincts of Fredy Montero as the Seattle Sounders ran out 2-1 winners at Gillette Stadium. The loss also means that the Revs are finally mathematically out of the playoffs, with three matches to go in a dismal 2011 season.

Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Dan Gargan, Josip Mikulic, Jalil Anibaba, Gonzalo Segares; Marco Pappa, Pavel Pardo, Logan Pause ©; Sebastian Grazzini (Baggio Husidic 25'); Patrick Nyarko (Diego Chaves 66'), Dominic Oduro (Orr Barouch 77')

Substitutes not used: Jon Conway, Yamith Cuesta, Corben Bone, Daniel Paladini
New England Revolution: Matt Reis; Kevin Alston, Franco Coria, Darrius Barnes, Chris Tierney; Ryan Guy, Benny Feilhaber, Shalrie Joseph ©, Kenny Mansally (Kheli Dube 57'); Milton Caraglio, Zach Schilawski (Diego Fagundez 71')
Substitutes not used: Bobby Shuttleworth, Otto Loewy, Zak Boggs, Pat Phelan, Ryan Kinne
Scoring Summary
CHI - Sebastian Grazzini (penalty kick) 5'
CHI - Dominic Oduro (Sebastian Grazzini) 9'
CHI - Patrick Nyarko (unassisted) 30'
NE - Ryan Guy (unassisted) 90'
NE - Ryan Guy (Milton Caraglio, Diego Fagundez) 92'+
Misconduct Summary

NE - Franco Coria (Caution; Reckless Foul) 27'
NE - Darrius Barnes (Caution; Dissent) 46'+
CHI - Dan Gargan (Caution; Delaying a Restart) 76'

CHI - Baggio Husidic (Caution; Tactical Foul) 86'

Referee: Michael Kennedy

Referee's Assistants: Kermit Quisenberry, Paul Scott

4th Referee: Jasen Anno

Attendance: 14,567

Highlights and quotes after the break

Highlights

Quotes

Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire interim head coach
On the result:
"In the second half, being up 3-0 and tough stretch ahead of us, I had the opportunity to give some guys a break and get everyone involved in the game.

John Spencer should mail thank you cards to Steve Nicol and his last-place squad.

After all, it's not every day that a team gift-wraps a playoff berth to its opponent. And that's exactly what the Revs brought to Portland on Friday night against Spencer's desperate eleven. By carelessly conceding a series of charitable chances, the Revs seemed all too keen to ensure that the record 20,323 fans present for the proceedings went home happy.

Come on now, Revs, don't go getting me all excited and optimistic again! Fool me once.. or.. err... 4 times.. shame on you, but fool me a 5th time... you get where I'm going. Needless to say, I was quite shocked to hear on Saturday night that won, against FC Dallas no less. Unfortunately, I was unable to watch the game until last night, so forgive my delay in getting this piece up.

Bobby Boswell scored his third goal of the season in the 90th minute to claim a dramatic 1-1 draw for the Houston Dynamo against the New England Revolution on Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium.

Former Dynamo defender Ryan Cochrane had given the Revs (4-11-10, 22 pts.) an early lead with his first goal for the Revolution in the fourth minute, but Boswell broke through with Houston's (7-7-11, 32 pts.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By IAN HOLIDAY

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Ryan Cochrane scored early and Bobby Boswell struck late as the New England Revolution and the Houston Dynamo split the points in a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium Wednesday night.

For the Revolution (4-11-10, 22 points), the result will feel like two points lost, as Boswell's 90th minute goal spoiled a superb individual effort from goalkeeper Matt Reis, who made seven saves and single-handedly preserved the Revs' lead on multiple occasions.

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue contributed ratings for the Revs 3-1 loss to the Columbus Crew.

Benny Feilhaber gave the New England Revolution a first half lead, but the Revs suffered a second half collapse, falling 3-1 to the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium on Saturday night.

Benny Feilhaber's goal wasn't enough for the Revs on Saturday. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

The loss sends the Revs (4-11-9, 21 points) to eighth place in the nine team Eastern Conference and 16th overall in the 18 team Major League Soccer.

COLUMBUS, OH - The Revolution knew that they were in for a physical game against the top of the east Crew, and a physical game is just what they got. Benny Feilhaber's goal just before the half was encouraging, but not enough to keep the Revs on pace to defend the lead and take the 3 points back home to Foxborogh.

Hello friends, and welcome to the Columbus Crew vs. New England Revolution live game thread. This match will be a true test for the Revs as they head toe Crew stadium, in the heart of Ohio State University, and look to extend their recent unbeaten road streak, despite a hard fought loss to Chivas USA last weekend at Gillette Stadium.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Sixteen-year-old Diego Fagundez scored his first professional goal and earned a penalty kick for the New England Revolution (4-10-9, 21 points) in his debut, but it was the visitors, Chivas USA (7-8-8, 29 points), who would leave with 3-2 victory.

Fagundez had a dream debut, but the Revs couldn't get a needed result.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution fell 2-3 to Chivas USA at Gillette stadium on an historic night for the franchise. The match featured the MLS debuts of the Revs' first-ever Designated Player, Milton Caraglio, and also their first homegrown signing from the academy system.

Chivas received excellent contributions from Nick LaBrocca (1 goal, 1 assist) and Alejandro Moreno (2 goals) and managed to capitalize on defensive lapses from New England.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution's first homegrown player, 16-year-old Diego Fagundez, drew a penalty and scored a goal in his MLS debut against Chivas USA Saturday night, but it wasn't enough to lift his side past the Goats, who got two goals from Alejandro Moreno en route to a 3-2 win.

Owing to the fast-moving news cycle in U.S. Soccer over the last few days, stories at SI.com are stacked up like Tokyo subway riders at rush hour.

As such, there will be no "Five Things to Know" review at SI.com's soccer site this week.

So, while you lament the winding down of another summer friendly season here (just a couple of them babies left) and while I prep for a 1 p.

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the Revs 1-1 draw with Kansas City.

Welcome to the New England Revolution vs. Kansas City Wizards live game thread! I would like to open with a personal apology for the lack of activity in the last few weeks, including the absence of a "Know Thy Enemy" segment for this match. The truth is that I've been busy with my day job but I'm also struggling with writer's block and sheer laziness.

Will Shalrie play the boss man tonight?

Kickoff promptly....that is about 55 minutes after the broadcast start time of 5pm PT. 5:55 PT for the kickoff.

It's the MLS All-Stars vs. Manchester United and this time Kevin Alston won't be playing rightback.

Red Bull Arena is the site as Manchester United continues their raucous North American tour.

Benny Feilhaber gave the New England Revolution a 1-0 first half lead at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., but the visitors would end up having to overcome a penalty kick, an ejection, a blunder from goalkeeper Matt Reis and a late 2-1 deficit to escape with a 2-2 draw.

Shalrie Joseph and Benny Feilhaber led the Revs on Saturday in Colorado.

The New England Revolution drew the Colorado Rapids 2-2 tonight at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. It was far from pretty, featuring two penalties and a red card ejection, but in the end only the results matter.

Benny Feilhaber's first goal for the Revolution kicked things off before Chris Tierney was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity and Caleb Folan buried the ensuing penalty.

The New England Revolution are taking on the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park this evening in hopes of stringing together two straight league wins for the first time this season. New England is coming off a surprise win against DC United on Wednesday, halting a nine-game slide, and are hoping another good result against the defending MLS Cup champions could turn their season around.