FOXBOROUGH, Mass - For one afternoon, New England Revolution head coach Steve Nicol will let his attention wander astray from his Eastern Conference-leading side to another football club.
The former Liverpool legend will be working for ESPN on Wednesday afternoon as a commentator on the broadcast of the UEFA Champions League final between his former club and AC Milan. The contest is a rematch of the 2005 final in which Liverpool emerged victorious on penalty kicks after the match ended 3-3.
Nicol, scheduled to appear with JP Dellacamera, Eric Wynalda, and Seamus Malin on the match's pregame show, believes the contest will be an epic.
"It doesn't get any bigger than this," Nicol said.
It is a game that has the attention of his players as well. The team will train on Wednesday morning under assistant manager Paul Mariner's supervision before breaking off to various Boston establishments to watch the contest.
The game will be of particular interest to midfielder Andy Dorman. The England native is a Liverpool supporter.
"It's going to be a really tight game where anything can happen," Dorman said.
This match is not expected to mirror the 2005 final, in which AC Milan scored three goals in the first half before Liverpool stormed back during the second stanza to send the match into extra time. After a scoreless additional period, Liverpool won 3-2 on penalty kicks after current Chelsea player Andriy Shevchenko had his shot saved by Jerzy Dudek.
Nicol believes the events of 2005 will have an impact on how this contest progresses, effectively closing off the contest from open, attacking soccer.
"In the last game it was all about passion," Nicol said. "You always know you can win when you've come from 3-0 down. You say, 'We've done it before.'"
Dorman said he hopes Liverpool will not fall that far behind on this occasion, but that he is not as convinced as his coach that both teams will be affected.
"Everyone in the media is talking about the last game, but it won't matter that much once they get out on the field," Dorman said. "Liverpool's focus will be on winning the game. AC Milan's focus will be the same. The past is in the past."
Nicol pointed out Brazilian international Kaka as the danger man for the Italians and a player that Liverpool must negate in order to bring home a second title in three years.
"He's as good as anyone in the world when he has the ball at his feet and he's running at you," Nicol said. "Liverpool has to close him down immediately when he gets the ball and take away his space."
Nicol believes AC Milan is reliant upon the Brazilian and fellow midfielders Clarence Seedorf, and Andrea Pirlo to play a flowing style of soccer while Liverpool can present ball control and long ball options.
"Liverpool is capable of playing a couple of different ways," Nicol said. "If Kaka, Seedorf, and Pirlo aren't on the ball, how are they going to win?"
That is the pertinent question with both Liverpool supporters choosing their club to win its sixth European Cup.
Dorman said that Liverpool will emerge victorious either in extra time or on penalties.
"I think Liverpool will win," Nicol said. "I don't think it's going to be an open and attacking game. If it is an open game, I think AC Milan will win. In any other game, I like Liverpool."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
