Left behind and ruled out through injury, New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph was resigned to being a spectator for Saturday's 2-0 loss at Chivas USA.
"It was difficult to watch on TV," Joseph said. "We didn't perform."
Performance was an issue in the Revolution's display, as New England struggled to create chances offensively and failed to maintain possession in the face of rigorous Chivas USA pressure.
"We were set up really well [tactically]," Revolution assistant coach Paul Mariner said. "We're trying not to be one-eyed about our performance. Chivas did well to close us down. There was always pressure on us."
Because Chivas USA ratcheted up the pressure, the Revolution could not work their preferred passing game in the center of the park.
Adding to the confusion was the insertion of the returning center back Michael Parkhurst alongside rookie Gary Flood in defensive midfield as Joseph (groin) and fellow starter Jeff Larentowicz (eye) missed out.
Mariner believes that a combination of poor performance and Chivas USA's pressure united to crimp the Revolution's attack.
"We didn't pass the ball well," Mariner said. "Did we knock ourselves out of rhythm or did they do that for us?"
Flood felt his side was out of sorts.
"It was just a sloppy game," Flood said. "We weren't covering for each other and we didn't link up well. We defended pretty well I thought, but our passing let us down in the final third."
Mariner alluded to the similarities between this lineup and the makeshift lineup employed in the opening match of the season, a 1-0 loss in Chicago on April 7, and noted that the team fielded against Chivas USA settled in after halftime much like the side in Chicago.
"It took us 45 minutes to settle into the game in Chicago when we made all those changes," Mariner said. "We were getting into that same rhythm [at Chivas] when we gave away the ball and they scored."
It all could have been different for New England if Adam Cristman had managed to nod home from inside six yards just after the interval before Jesse Marsch gave Chivas USA the lead on 60 minutes.
"If we're lucky enough to score after halftime, maybe things change," Mariner mused.
Instead, Maykel Galindo scored his team's second goal in the 89th minute in order to consolidate a comprehensive victory for Preki's team.
Flood believes that the loss is a blip on the radar as the team looks to cement its place at the top of the Eastern Conference.
"When the team's playing well, we're as good as anyone in the league," Flood said. "But we've had roster changes and injuries throwing curveballs at us."
While Joseph admits that his team has struggled to adjust to the national team call-ups and injury problems, he contends that the team must rise to the challenge and rectify matters when New England and Chivas USA meet in the return match on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
"We always have guys coming and going," Joseph said. "It's just this part of the season. Teams start to adjust to how you play. We have to be better in everything."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
