FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - In the first meeting of Eastern Conference powers New England and New York this season, Revolution head coach Steve Nicol will have to adjust to a Red Bulls team that is markedly different than the one his side last faced on September 20 of last year.
But one thing won't change, according to Revolution striker Pat Noonan.
"They have a new look," Noonan said. "They have lots of new faces. They have lots of talented players. But the intensity will be the same."
The Red Bulls' high profile additions of Juan Pablo Angel and Claudio Reyna have given Nicol something to ponder as his team heads to Giants Stadium for Saturday's contest.
Much of the focus will be on Angel. The Colombian international has nine goals in 10 matches since joining on a free transfer from Aston Villa.
"The guy's a great player," Nicol said of Angel. "Unless we concentrate for 90 minutes, he'll make us pay."
Nicol said that Angel's talent will require constant supervision and demand strict adherence to tactical planning.
"Players like him...you don't figure out," Nicol said. "The things he does are very difficult to stop."
But Nicol also had words of praise for Reyna, who has struggled to settle in since his free transfer move from Manchester City.
"Everyone knows the qualities he has," Nicol said. "Who would you want in the middle of the park? It'd be Reyna."
Nicol should be able to call on his own midfield general this weekend. Shalrie Joseph was held out of the midweek U.S. Open Cup tie against Rochester with a quadriceps injury. Joseph trained with the squad on Thursday and looks to be passed fit for the contest.
"Shalrie seems to be fine," Nicol said. "It's just hanging around."
Jeff Larentowicz also trained on Thursday with a specially fit pair of glasses similar to the ones worn by former Holland and current Tottenham midfielder Edgar Davids.
Nicol said that Larentowicz would be available for selection at the weekend and that "fitness would not be an issue" for him.
Nicol can also name renowned Red Bulls nemesis Pat Noonan in his squad for the contest. Noonan has 11 goals in 14 career regular season appearances against New York.
Noonan, who played 90 minutes in the 4-2 win over Rochester in midweek, believes that the team's midweek heroics at the death can help them this weekend.
Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston scored in the 90th minute to help the side avoid overtime at Paetec Park and Noonan thinks it may help his team as it enters the game against New York.
"It was important for our legs. It was tough with the heat and humidity," Noonan said. "Sure, it made a difference, but it only counts if we go out and do what we need to on Saturday."
Noonan's goal scoring record against Bruce Arena's side indicates that he'll be at the forefront at the charge, but the striker indicated his goal scoring record against New York is no more than circumstance.
"It's just how it works," Noonan said. "There's nothing special about it. Hopefully, it continues this weekend."
With the Eastern Conference separated by eight points from first to last place and New England just a point behind New York for the conference lead, Nicol recognizes that it's important to get a result this weekend.
"Every single game in the conference is big now," Nicol said. "They are all six pointers right now."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
