In what has otherwise been a season to remember for him, Andy Dorman has no intention of having his final memory of 2006 be that of watching a ball whisk past him and into the New England Revolution net.
Dorman and his teammates had enough chances to avoid defeat to the Chicago Fire in the first leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series, yet are currently enduring a six-day 'halftime' down a goal. The only goal in last Sunday's opener at Toyota Park came from a free kick that Justin Mapp curled through the Revolution wall, in which stood the English midfielder.
"I've watched it a couple of times; I need to be blocking them. I'm in the wall and that is what I am there to do. I have to take responsibility," said Dorman on Wednesday.
"The ball just bent and kind of came behind Joe (Franchino) and, at the last second, I don't know, it was just an automatic response to get out of the way, which I shouldn't have done. I should have taken one in the face."
It would be a tough critic that singles out Dorman for that one play, given his body of work this year. Predominantly a bit-part player in his two seasons as a professional since he was selected by Steve Nicol with the 56th overall pick in the 2004 SuperDraft, the former Boston University man started every regular season game for the Revolution in his third year and contributed career highs in goals (6) and assists (10).
Since the season's outset, Dorman has played in every position across midfield and also has seen time in a supporting role for the Revolution's forward line. His versatility has served him well, as has his ability to put any mistakes at the back of his mind. Never was it more in evidence than in the second half in Bridgeview, Ill., when the 24-year-old and his midfield colleagues put in a solid shift that saw the Revs dominate the central areas.
"I felt like we were always pressing them in their half. I was trying to get close to (Tony) Sanneh and block off his passing lanes," he said. "I was trying to press up a bit and get level with Taylor (Twellman) and Clint (Dempsey) when they had the ball at the back and I think we did that pretty well. We got a few turnovers and had a lot of the ball."
In Saturday's return leg, Dorman will be looked to once again to help New England get the upper hand in midfield, particularly with Shalrie Joseph suspended and Clint Dempsey a doubt with an ankle injury. He is desperate to put in a good individual display, particularly given his own disappointment with what happened in Chicago.
"I've got a game to make up for it so have to make sure I do," Dorman said. "That's the good thing about the playoffs being two legs. We just have to make sure there are no regrets after the second leg."
After the Revs played well on the road and came away with nothing, Dorman admits that he doesn't care how it looks, as long as the result this weekend goes New England's way.
"We felt like we had done enough to get a draw at least but that's football. You don't always get what you deserve, and if on Saturday we sneak a 2-0 win and we don't deserve it, we'll take it. Saturday is a new game and we just have to get our heads down," he said.
The Revolution squad is packed throughout with playoff experience. In fact, Dorman is one of its members with the least postseason knowledge. Sunday marked the first time he had started a game in the MLS Cup Playoffs and this weekend he will play an important role to trying to help his side overturn its deficit, something he is confident they are more than capable of.
"We're not going to panic," said Dorman. "We'll keep working and grafting until the end. We have enough goalscorers on the team to get at least one goal and our defense has been sturdy all year. If we can keep that going and get after them then we feel like we can score goals."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
