Don't buy into the hype for Saturday's MLS Cup rematch, suggests New England Revolution head coach Steve Nicol. To him and his team, it's just another game.
"It's the first game of the season," Nicol said. "We want to get ourselves ready to play. It's not a huge thing to be playing Houston."
Both teams made changes during the offseason with some familiar faces heading out the door and new players, such as Houston's Franco Caraccio and New England's Mauricio Castro, tipped to make an impact.
But Nicol, mindful of the fact that his team returns nine of 11 starters from MLS Cup 2007 and both teams return entrenched coaching staffs, believes the teams won't drastically change course because of the changes.
"There's maybe a different face or two, but it's mostly the same," Nicol said. "They know what we're trying to do and we know what they're trying to do."
Even the new players understand the task presented in games like this one. Revs defender Chris Albright, acquired from Los Angeles during the offseason, is certainly well acquainted with the Dynamo.
"They are a tough team," Albright said. "It's an imprint from [Houston coach] Dom [Kinnear.] Even when they're not on their game, they can grind out results."
Albright wants to bring that determination to his first game with his new club.
"I'm just trying to go out and play a solid game," Albright said. "Sometimes, players playing their first game for a new club try to do too much in their first game. I'm going to out there and keep it simple and defend."
Castro is expected to join Albright in the starting XI and make his Revolution debut. Khano Smith is away on international duty with Bermuda, leaving Castro to slot in on the left flank.
Sainey Nyassi could start opposite Castro with Wells Thompson ruled out with bone spurs in his left ankle. Thompson is expected to be out for the next couple of weeks.
Nyassi will likely be joined in the starting lineup by fellow Gambian Abdoulie "Kenny" Mansally. Mansally and Adam Cristman have fought over the second striker's role during preseason and the 19-year-old looks to have the edge to start against Houston.
Chase Hilgenbrinck, a left back recently with Colorado and Nublense (Chile), signed with the team on Friday and will be available to Nicol as an option off the bench after his successful trial this week.
One player who won't be available is Argenis Fernandez. Fernandez, an offseason signing from Costa Rican side Santos, finally received his P-1 work visa this week and is expected to be at Gillette Stadium for the game. He is not expected to dress.
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
