NE Revolution doldrums

Thoughts on the local soccer team and their troubles in losing the last four league games including the last two at home without scoring a goal.

from a recent NE Revs game

correction, the -17 goal differential is correct but the totals should be 29 and 46 (not 30 and 47)

http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings

#nerevs

If I were Steve

Steve Nicol, that is, the coach of the struggling New England Revolution soccer team. I would concentrate on just a few things, all within the span of control. One field, one ball, two teams, 11 men each side and 90 minutes to play.

Possession: you can score if you have the ball. They can't score if you have the ball.

Passing: small passes, give and go, triangular movement, moving to the open team mate. No long punt from the goalkeeper, a small pass to one of the defenders.

Patience: the small passes, keeping possession will require patience and discipline. When to break or when not to. Don't force what you don't have. Don't make a pass that your teammate can't handle. You wouldn't want that kind of pass either.

Yes, it would be nice to have another player or two. But the game can be played well with those who want to play when they play together keeping possession, being patient and making good passes.

Ralston not returning

There is major news for the New England Revolution with the release that Steve Ralston won't be returning to play this season.

This is not totally a surprise, he has had his share of injuries the past two seasons and his body is not getting any younger. It takes longer to recover from each injury. I can understand and appreciate where Steve is coming from.

With the news coming just before camp opens next week, this definitely puts a wrench in the planning the Steve Nicol, Mike Burns and others in the Rev's office were making to field the team this season.

Steve was a quality player with experience and savvy. The team played better with him on the field. Steve will be missed.


The Boston.com soccer article can be found here
http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/blog/2010/01/revolution_capt.html

Revs did well

Image via WikipediaAfter writing up what the New England Revolution needed to do, they actually went out and did almost all of that on Thursday night. The one thing they were not able to do was find the net for a goal. So the teams head to Chicago next Thursday with a 0-0 tie. The series is two games, aggregate goals.

I could take another result like in Chicago and take our chances in the shoot out. We might have an edge there with Reis in the nets and so many new guys on our side to tee it up that they won't know about.

I would prefer we take it outright with a 1-0 (or more) victory. This team can do it.

They just need to stay with the 'touch and go'.

Go Revs

there are plenty of empty seats for the Rev playoff game tonight. 0-0 at the half

Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterli. Replies.

Touch and go

Image by shersteve via FlickrThe New England Revolution enter the playoffs again. While they have the longest continuous streak of making the playoffs amongst the New England pro teams, the only thing that really matters is winning the MLS Cup. Which they have yet to do. Will this be the year? It will be touch and go.

Recall that this season started back in March with some key folks missing. Noonan was gone for good, off to Norway. Riley also, via the draft to San Jose. John was not re-signed. Twellman was recovering. Who did we have? The younsters; Dube, Nyassi and Munsally to assist the core players, Ralston, Joseph, Parkhurst, Reis, etc. The Revs got started pretty well. They were top of the league and Taylor had not played a minute of a game. How did they do it? Touch and go.

Good quick passes, good movement off the ball, keeping the offensive pressure on, keeping the other offense at bay. As the season wore on, the opponents began to realize that one way to beat the speed was to be physical. Dube, Mansally, and Nyassi began to get mugged with the full approval of the officals. The SuperLiga intervened and the Revs prevailed topping the Houston Dynamo in a shoot-out final to take home their first international Cup. What was it like during the shoot-out? Touch and go!

The MLS season resumed with a series of 2 games a week and the Revs paid the price. Their legs and bodies couldn't handle the travel schedule. They got a break in mid-September, got some rest and still faltered into the end of the season. Questionable calls on the road, ugly red cards in the final game and finally the season was over. What did it feel like for the fans? Touch and go!

Now the playoffs begin. A clean slate, only 4 games left to play. They can not afford to lose a game. They have to step up big. The red card suspensions sit two starters for the first game. Twellman is still feeling the effects of his collision with the LA goalie in August. (Yes, he scored the goal). Ralston is out for the remainder of the season with his broken leg. Christman stopped his season in July to get his foot operated on. What does that leave to start? The youngsters; Dube, Mansally and Nyassi. What do they need to do? Touch and go.

Can they do it? Yes.
Will they do it? I hope so.

If they play to their strength (touch and go), Chicago can be tamed. Chicago won't be easy but they can be beaten. Who comes after that is not a concern. Chicago is the first and most important.

The Revs need to touch and go!