The Boston Globe

October 3, 2007

Revolution looking for big break

By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff

DALLAS - The US Open Cup final is not the big one but it is a big one. Tonight's game against FC Dallas will be a chance for the Revolution to break their streak of four successive defeats in finals.

Of New England's players, only goalkeeper Matt Reis has been part of a team that won a final. Reis was a backup for the Los Angeles Galaxy when they defeated the Revolution in the 2001 US Open Cup final and the '02 MLS Cup.

"The Open Cup doesn't have the pomp and circumstance that goes along with the MLS Cup," Reis said. "It's a midweek game, so it doesn't have the buildup and media hype. It's lower on the radar screen of most MLS teams.

"But there is a lot more intrigue involved in it. Playing against lower-division teams, it's big for their players to prove they might have been slighted by the MLS and a chance for them to show they are good enough. Semipro teams go deep into the tournament and lower-division teams have won it."

All amateur and professional teams are eligible for the US Open Cup, which provides the ultimate in underdog opportunities, beginning with elimination games a year in advance of the final. The Revolution advanced by defeating Rochester (4-2), Harrisburg (2-0), and Carolina (2-1 in extra time), while FC Dallas had victories over Atlanta (1-1, penalty kicks) Charleston (2-1 in extra time), and Seattle (2-1 in extra time).

The Revolution have found there is a thin line between winning and losing in finals. All four of their appearances were decided after the regulation 90 minutes.

In the '01 Open Cup final, the Revolution held the lead for much of the contest and appeared on the way to beating the Galaxy before Ezra Hendrickson floated a cross over goalkeeper Jose Carlos Fernandez for a tying goal in the 70th minute. Danny Califf headed in the winner in the second minute of golden goal overtime before 4,195 at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, Calif.

In the '02 MLS Cup, though the Revolution seldom threatened, left wing Winston Griffiths hit the crossbar in the final minute of regulation; the Galaxy's Carlos Ruiz, now with FC Dallas, scored the winner in the 113th minute before 61,316 at Gillette Stadium.

"You have to play perfect [defensively]," Reis said. "You can't give away anything. The teams that do that are sulking at the end of the day and not spraying each other with champagne when the game is over.

"We are playing for the championship more than anything. It's great to have your name on a trophy that's steeped in history. It's always nice to win trophies, and good teams find a way to win it. It's a one-off, and you have to find a way to settle it. Hopefully, we'll find a way.

"Great teams win championships. But what usually separates you in the finals is having one guy who is really on and makes the difference."

And that was the Galaxy's edge in the '05 MLS Cup, a Revolution error leading to a Galaxy corner kick, Pando Ramirez volleying in a Reis punchout at Pizza Hut Park for a 1-0 overtime win. The Revolution returned to Pizza Hut Park last year, taking the lead on Taylor Twellman's 113th-minute goal, and losing to Houston on penalty kicks after Brian Ching tied the score in the 114th minute.

Though the Revolution have failed in final games, they have kept the team intact and continued to improve during the regular season. The team's 14-6-7 record (49 points) is close to its regular-season best of 59 points in 32 games in 2005.

"A lot goes on during the season and we have tried not to panic as much as some teams which might have a lot of new guys," Reis said. "We are a tight-knit group and we know what is going on, so we can roll with the punches.

"But, at the same time, we have the same group of players and nothing to show for it. We want to win this game for the Krafts and the coaches."