Jay Heaps will return as New England Revolution coach despite the team missing the playoffs, general manager Michael Burns has confirmed.
"We feel, collectively, we underachieved this year in a big way," Burns told reporters. "It's pretty disappointing when you have your goals and sights set and you underachieve. That's the best way and strongest way I can say it -- we underachieved."
Heaps, 40, played nine years for the Revolution before being named manager after the 2011 season.
He led the Revs into the playoffs three straight years from 2013-15, including a run to the MLS Cup final in 2014, when they lost to the LA Galaxy in extra time.
The Revs have never won the big prize despite making five finals, but Burns said he was happy with the club's overall record.
"I do feel good that, overall, over the 20 years, more often than not we've been able to compete for championships, and that's all you can really do," he said.
"You need a little luck to win it. And unfortunately we've had bad luck five times. It's been hard for everyone to take, hard for the fans, hard for the organization. I would take five cracks at it in the next 20 years. Right? If you're doing that you're doing something right."
Burns also denied that the Revs were in danger of being left behind as MLS teams have grown their staffs and scouting operations in recent years.
"The league is evolving before our eyes. You're seeing teams with full-time scouts," he said. "A few years ago, teams didn't have technical directors and now they almost all have technical directors. Or strength and conditioning coaches -- now they all have one. I think scouting is the next thing.
"Are some teams a little bit ahead of the curve? Yes. We as a league will all get there, but we as a league are not all there yet. That's the evolution of our league. But I don't look at it like our club is at a disadvantage or we need more staff or more of this or more of that.
"Because I think we're still in a place where we can compete for championships and I think we've shown that very recently. That's what makes this year even more disappointing. Because collectively we felt like we should have been better."