You either loved the original, old school MLS shootouts, or you absolutely hated them. There is very little in between.
For four years from Major League Soccer's inception in 1996 and through the 1999 season, tied games were decided by a uniquely American shootout, featuring players dribbling towards goal from 35 yards and given five seconds to release a shot as a goalkeeper charged them down. Was it a tacky attempt to Americanize the world's game, or a better representation of skill than a standard penalty shootout? Opinions could not be more divided.
Two former players with plenty of experience in the MLS-style shootouts, Darren Sawatzky and Jeff Causey, joined the crew on the Far Post Podcast presented by MA250 to discuss the shootout from the perspective of both an attacker and a goalkeeper. The duo, eventually Revolution teammates, also discussed the most famous shootout attempt in Revolution history, when Sawatzky scored on Causey (then D.C. United's goalkeeper) to clinch a Revs win in their first-ever home game on April 27, 1996 at the old Foxboro Stadium.
You can watch the full episode on YouTube, or download to listen on Buzzsprout or on Apple podcasts.
As we continue to celebrate 30 seasons of Revolution soccer, the Far Post Podcast presented by MA250 will be recording live at the Revolution's Alumni Night on August 9, featuring several greats from throughout the club's storied past.
