MLS Season Preview: New England Revolution

By: Bob | April 4th, 2007

If you close your eyes and count to ten really, really slowly the 2007 MLS season will be here. Our team of talented bloggers has been getting us fired up with their season previews. Today we look at the New England Revolution through the thorough and thoughtful eyes of Revolution Offside writer Sabin. His season preview is after the jump.

Who They Are

The Revolution are a team of scrappers, in my opinion. Seemingly used to dealing with adversity and strain, they run a rag-tag ship of combative defense and midfield dominance with occasional moments of scoring brilliance. Since Steve Nicol took over in 2002, the team has seemed to come together as a cohesive unit, aided by both his tactical acumen and his seemingly uncanny ability to spot the “Diamond in the Rough” during the draft. He also just seems to get along well with “the lads”, at least from outward appearances.

In both 2005 and 2006, we saw phenomenal runs by the Revs to the last, only to see it plucked heartlessly away in the final matches: last year because they couldn’t seem to focus after getting the “winning” goal. Penalty kicks are no way to lose a title (but I digress with bitterness…). Through it all, though, they seemed to have heart, drive, determination, and an amazing keeper. Now, “lads”, let’s just keep those goal celebrations a little more calm, eh?

What They Were

One of the secrets to the Revs’ dominance in the past few seasons is surely Matt Reis. A brilliant find for them in 2004, he has proven time and again to be a stalwart final brick in the wall of an opposing team’s scoring opportunity. With a phenomenal 1.09GAA throughout 2006, and an MLS-leading 141 saves, his presence in the net kept the Revs from slipping at key times.

Not to mention all of the times Dempsey seemed to A not-so-secret Clint Dempsey in the attacking midfield positions brought a creativity and passion to the Revs’ game unmatched in most other MLS teams I saw last season. He singlehandedly increased the pace of games that would otherwise have been put in the books as snooze fests. Best. Player. Period for the Revs last season.

The commitment of Joe Franchino playing midfield when needed and Steve Ralston’s level head in the center positions lent support to the team and Nicol’s Commitment to the 3-5-2 formation he’s so comfortable with.Shalrie Joseph is a stalwart central midfielder. His lanky stride, aggressiveness and on-the-ball power held the middle, allowing the team to really control the game when they were on.

For defense — especially in a 3-5-2 — you have to have a solid central defender/sweeper keeping track of things back there, and MichaelParkhurst is hands-down the best. How many times did he keep the ball out of the net on his own? Up front with Taylor Twellman and Pat Noonan there was enough telepathy and forward-movement to keep things interesting.

The Situation Now

In my mind, those players made the Revs happen last season, and that’s the problem. Dempsey is gone to Fulham FC in England, Noonan and Parkhurst are starting the season with injuries — a continuation of Noonan’s history — and Franchino is on a leave of absence for an undisclosed amount of time. Joseph, well he just wants to be traded instead of wear the captain’s armband. We’ve still got Reis in the net and Twellman up front, though their status with the U.S. Men’s could still be up in the air, and we could lose them for a big portion of the summer.

What Needs to Happen

First, the back line needs to let fewer balls through to Reis. Someone over at ESPN said this, and I agree. Reis is phenomenal, but he can’t do all the work. Reduce his workload, and keep the balls up in the midfield where those cats can send them forward where they belong.

The front office needs to pay Joseph and settle whatever’s going on. He’s arguably the best central midfielder in the league, and frankly the Revs need him this year with the quickness and stubbornness of Dempsey now in England.

The Nicol gamble needs to pay off. So far, Adam Cristman is working well up front with Twellman, but he’s untested against the more brutal and faster pace of the MLS. Will he still have the instinct for the net against the other 12 teams? He has to be this year’s “Diamond in the Rough”. How willArsene Oka, Christ Loftus, and Amaechi Igwe fare for the Revs? Frankly, the Revs could use a whole string of diamonds.

Who to Look For

Khano Smith showed great promise towards the end of last season. He’s always been extremely fast, and his football brain seemed to kick in the more he played. Watch for him to continue getting better. Whether Nicol plays him as a sub against tired-out opponents, or uses him at the beginning to dictate pace, he should be an interesting addition to the Revs’ rhythm this season. Plus, he can score (we saw him on October 14th, 2006, and it was a beautiful thing to see).

Andy Dorman is an unsung hero as far as I’m concerned. During a Chicago Fire game last season, his sudden focus on forward movement and his pairing with Dempsey changed the rhythm of the game. A game the Revs eventually won. Look for him to continue to do that.

Also keep an eye on Jeff Larentowicz and Tony Lochead. The Revs may look for one — or both of them — to be inspiration in a D/M position while Twellman and Noonan or Cristman work up front.

And let’s not forget the transfer money. The Revs still have a large portion of the Dempsey fee to spend, and time will only tell where it will go. Rumors have flown over the past month, but my bet is there won’t be a big surprise at the end of the day.

In Order to Win

I don’t know. The Revs look good, but so do all of the other teams. Heck, even the Columbus Crew looked efficient and frightening in thepre-season. The Pundits (read Eric Wynalda) don’t think they can do it. Here’s what I think: if Joseph stays on board, Noonan stays healthy, and Parkhurst and company can keep the strikes away from Reis , we have a good chance of placing second or third in the league. Can they win the cup? To be honest, I don’t know, but my feeling is theKrafts expect exactly that, so the pressure is on. They’ll need a fourth striker who’s more than that in order to balance out the potential loss ofTwellman to the U.S. National Team, or Noonan with injuries (he’s going to continue to be injured, in my estimation).

Most importantly, the team needs to maintain its history of scrappy, guttural football in the face of clubhouse turmoil and starting lineup injuries. This — through everything else — is the key to the Revolution.

Interesting Tidbits:

2006: 2nd in the East, tied with Dynamo in a lack-of-concentration with, like, :32 left in the game (Remember, kids, goal celebrations can be a killer). Heaps missed the final penalty kick, but we forgive him.
2005: 1st in the East, and lost in the final to LA Galaxy (Darn you!)
2004: 4th in the East, made it to the semifinals
2003: 2nd in the East, made it to the semifinals
2002: 1st in the East, made it to the final
2001: 3rd in the East, didn’t qualify for the MLS Cup
2000: 2nd in the Easy, lost in the semifinals
1999: 5th in the East, didn’t make it to the MLS Cup
1998: 6th East, didn’t make it to the MLS Cup
1997: 4th East, lost in the quarterfinals
1996: 5th East, didn’t qualify

Average place in the East: 3rd overall.
Average place under Steve Nicol: 2nd

Coach Steve Nicol played defense for Liverpool. The way it’s told is that he was the best bargain they ever made, and the biggest boots in the club.

The Revolution will play on FieldTurf at home for the first time in their 11-year history. This could make a difference for their season.

Follow the New England Revolution all season long on the Revolution Offside.

Get some fancy new duds and support the team by buying New England Revolution soccer gear.

Tomorrow’s Previews: Chivas USA and Toronto FC