The New England Revolution are back on the road this week, with Tuesday's Fourth of July clash against the Colorado Rapids followed next Saturday by the side's second visit in four weeks to Toyota Park, the new home of the Chicago Fire.
After a 3-4-2 start saw New England languishing in the lower reaches of the Eastern Conference standings, a six-game unbeaten run, highlighted by consecutive wins during the last week against FC Dallas and the New York Red Bulls, has seen Steve Nicol's side ascend the table to its current position of second place.
Though the East's frontrunner, D.C. United, is some 14 points better off than the Revs, the recent upturn in form has reasserted the Revolution's status as a contender for MLS Cup, which they came so close to lifting last year. However, if they are to continue to stake that claim, their road form must improve on what it has been until now.
New England has not picked up maximum points away from Gillette Stadium since Clint Dempsey's header secured victory against the Los Angeles Galaxy on April 1. Since then, the Revs are 0-3-4 on the road and will have to play well this week if they are to change the number in the win column, starting in the thin air of Colorado on Tuesday night.
"We're looking for a result and we need to make sure we are doing things as a unit together and not having players doing things on their own," said Nicol from the team bus on Monday, before going on to emphasize the importance of his side doing things well to counter against the fatigue that the higher altitude can induce.
"We need to be together going backwards and forwards," he said. "Away from home that is important wherever you are playing. If we do that then we'll create chances and we need to take them."
The Revolution have benefited in recent games from the return of several key players. Dempsey had the game-winning assist last Wednesday against Dallas, before scoring twice three days later in the 3-2 win against New York.
"He just wants to score, he wants to play and take people on. He has a hunger for the game and goes the extra yard," said Nicol.
Another key returnee has been Avery John, who has excelled in the Revolution defense in each of the last two games. However, the Trinidad & Tobago World Cup performer allowed indiscipline to get the better of him late on in against New York and his push to the face of Amado Guevara resulted in a red card, which leaves Nicol with a hole to fill against the Rapids.
James Riley, who has not played since damaging the peroneal muscle in his right ankle on May 27, is in line to replace John, having made a successful comeback for the Revolution reserves on Saturday. Nicol's other option is to recall New Zealander Tony Lochhead, who is one of several young players to have benefited from recent opportunities to play in the first team.
"When we get players back healthy we'll have a fitter and more experienced squad to call upon (but) a lot of the squad players have had great experience," said Nicol. "Jeff Larentowicz and Tony Lochhead, Kyle Brown has played in a chunk of games and we got Danny Wynn in there too."
After five games in 16 days and with two in the next five to come, Nicol admits that his side's legs are 'feeling it' but that, equally, the determination to maintain its good form remains resolute. Furthermore, if the Revolution can get through this most congested of periods in good shape, the tests down the road will become more and more manageable.
"We have been through a tough stretch and picked up some points we deserved and some that we didn't," he said. "It's tough when you are on the road as we have been but it also means we will have more home games later on."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
