September 17, 2007

Better at juggling
Revolution keeping a few balls in the air

By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff

The Revolution's 4-2 victory over FC Dallas Saturday night was a positive sign for a team known for its late-season runs. But the dynamic will change when the teams meet again in the US Open Cup final Oct. 3 in Frisco, Texas.

Midfielder Shalrie Joseph is suspended for that game, and FC Dallas expects to have forward Kenny Cooper (tibia), Adrian Serioux (international duty), and midfielder Juan Toja (ankle), who all missed Saturday's game.

It is a difficult juggling act to stay in contention in the MLS regular season and the US Open Cup, and this is shaping up as the Revolution's first successful experience with both competitions. When the Revolution reached the 2001 US Open Cup final, they failed to qualify for the playoffs. But the Revolution changed their identity the next season, launching a late-season rally and starting a six-season streak in which they have qualified for the playoffs. Yesterday's Colorado-Chivas USA 1-1 tie assured the Revolution of a playoff berth with five matches remaining.

But the Revolution have been unable to translate season-ending sprints into championships. They have lost in finals at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, Calif.; Gillette Stadium; and twice at Pizza Hut Park, site of the US Open Cup final this year.

"We don't have very good memories of playing finals [at Pizza Hut Park, where the Revolution lost the last two MLS Cups]," midfielder Steve Ralston said after the victory over Dallas Saturday. "But right now we are concentrating on playing New York [next Saturday]."

The Revolution took the lead over Dallas on Pat Noonan's 29th-minute goal, surrendered a tying score to Carlos Ruiz (35th), then clinched the contest with three second-half goals. But FC Dallas stayed in contention nearly to the end, Ruiz heading in a Dominic Oduro cross to cut the deficit to 3-2 in the 84th minute.

"I thought we sealed it at 3-1," Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst said. "We finally got that extra goal and got some pressure off ourselves. But Carlos Ruiz is one of the best players in the league in the air. The way to stop it is to stop the service, put more pressure on the ball."

The Revolution will have to be especially conscious of closing the midfield against Dallas in the US Open Cup final, and the task will be more difficult without Joseph, who also is probably the team's best at defending against crosses and set pieces.

"We know teams are going to sit back against us here," Joseph said. "[Goalkeeper] Dario Sala was taking his time on goal kicks and they were playing for long kicks from him and dead balls.

"We had a bad game against D.C. [a 4-2 loss to United Sept. 9], but we are staying close to them. If we win all our games we could finish second and be in a good position in the playoffs.

"It's going to be tough, but we definitely want to win all the trophies - the Open Cup, the Supporters Shield [for most points in the MLS regular season], the MLS Cup. This was a good step toward the US Open Cup and we will be going back to Dallas to prove a point."