On Friday morning, the New England Revolution concluded their training ground preparation for Sunday's Eastern Conference Championship at D.C. United. The Revs head to the nation's capital confident that they can overcome the four-time MLS Cup winners in the playoffs for the first time in club history.
The game will be the fifth consecutive Eastern Conference decider for the Revolution. Jay Heaps, Taylor Twellman, Taylor Twellman and Joe Franchino have been involved in each of the previous four and the Revs captain knows exactly what his side has to do if it is to book a second trip in two seasons to MLS Cup.
"We just have to go in and do what we do well and that's possessing the ball," aid Franchino. "We get chances in every game; it's just a matter of putting them away. We know it will be close and we can't leave holes because they are a team that can expose us. (Steve Nicol) says all the time that it's not a cavalry charge."
The ability to be patient and composed in what is certain to be a hostile atmosphere for the visiting New England players will be crucial and Nicol has complete faith that the experience that runs throughout his squad will only help the Revs at RFK Stadium.
"I think in any situation that arises, is thrown at them or they can exploit, having been there before really gives that extra time in their own mind," said Nicol. "When things are flung at you for the first time it takes longer for the brain to process and work through it. When you've been through situations many times then, as long as the computer is working, you'll make the decision quicker and, with experience, a better decision."
After a grueling tie against Chicago that was only settled by penalty kicks after 210 minutes of deadlock, Nicol has been glad of the extra day his side has had this week to prepare for the game. After playing 75 minutes last weekend and coming through a full week of training without complaint, Pat Noonan is set to return to the starting lineup in place of Jose Manuel Abundis, while following a one-game suspension, Shalrie Joseph is a certain returnee, most likely at the expense of Jeff Larentowicz.
One man that does seem set to miss out is Clint Dempsey. The midfielder was on the practice field on Thursday and Friday but saw his participation limited to warmups and passing drills as he works back to fitness following a sprained ankle. When asked of Dempsey's status on Friday morning, Nicol was adamant that his star will not be fit in time to feature against D.C.
In four games between D.C. United and the Revolution during the regular season, each side compiled identical records of 1-1-2. Each side scored a total of four goals and conceded a total of four goals. New England won the last time they met, a 2-1 triumph at RFK on Oct. 7, but Nicol refutes suggestions that his side will be the favorite on Sunday.
"It's a lot of rubbish. All that nonsense about underdogs -- give me a break. They're at home. If they had been coming here I would certainly have put them as underdogs but they're not, so I think that might have been a wee bit of flannel to try and gee them up," Nicol said. "At the end of the day we look at it as a job to do and we going to hopefully go down and get it done."
A feature of the Revolution's semifinal series win against Chicago was Nicol's knack of making key substitutions and formation changes at critical times. Noonan took the headlines with his goalscoring role in the second leg but of almost equal importance last Saturday was bringing on the direct running threat of Khano Smith and the ball-retaining talents of Jose Cancela. Nicol is well aware that having such talented replacements on the bench could be equally important this weekend.
"I think it's crucial. It's always nice to have options and to have players that can come on if you have to change the way you are playing or change personnel. Whatever it may be, having options is huge," he said.
Franchino echoed his coach's views, explaining that every Revolution player is committed to achieving the team's goal of a championship by playing his part, no matter how big or small.
"On this team everybody has a role and will get an opportunity when they are called upon," said Franchino. "Injuries and suspensions happen and guys have got to step up and they have been willing to do that for the sake of the team and that is the reason why we are getting it done. There are no individuals here. It's all for the team."
There has certainly been plenty of laughter and enjoyment from the Revolution players this week. However, come 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nicol says, the team will be all business. Balking at one question that suggested the emotion of the occasion could have an impact on his men, the Revolution coach made it clear that his team will not be swayed from its focus.
"We are trying to prepare ourselves so that we go out and play the way that we know how to play. We certainly know that D.C. has some weapons that can hurt us, but we know that if we can take care of our business, then we can make them do the thinking and the chasing and it's going to be hard for them," he said. "It's going to be a great game."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
