Not that one would expect any extra motivation necessary, but the memory of four consecutive years of playoff disappointment will be a further spur to the New England Revolution in this year's postseason. The Revs have qualified for the fifth year running and are seeking to avoid the heartache that has afflicted them in each of the last four.
Twice, in 2002 and 2005, the Revs have made it to the MLS Cup Final, only to lose on each occasion in extra time to the Los Angeles Galaxy. In the intervening years, New England saw their season end in the Eastern Conference Championship, as Chicago defeated them in 2003, thanks to a Chris Armas golden goal, and D.C. United advanced at their expense a year later with a penalty shootout win after an epic 3-3 tie.
The majority of the current Revolution squad has experienced at least one of those disappointments with some, including Joe Franchino, Jay Heaps, Steve Ralston and Taylor Twellman, having been around for all four. Additionally, coach Steve Nicol has watched from the sidelines each time as his side has fallen just short of winning that elusive first MLS Cup.
Given the history, it is not surprising that New England has a steely determination that this year will be different, although Nicol believes that such is the professionalism of his squad that the desire would be there, no matter what.
"It's always there," said Nicol this week. "We want to win it as much this year as much as we did last year and next year will be the same. We just want to win it."
The Revs open their playoff campaign on the road this Sunday at Toyota Park against Chicago in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series. The return match is scheduled for six days later at Gillette Stadium, with New England grabbing home-field advantage by leapfrogging the Fire into second place in the East on the final weekend of the regular season.
Nicol admitted he is pleased that his side will play the second game on their home field but is warning his side not to underestimate their road game this weekend. The Revs will be boosted by the return to fitness of Shalrie Joseph, who has been out for four weeks with a hand injury and the Grenadian midfielder knows how vital it is to get a result in Bridgeview.
"It was important that we got the second seed in the East to get the second game at home but you don't want to rely too much on that," he said. "We know how important the first game is and we want to get a win."
Joseph's availability will give Nicol a further selection dilemma. The Revolution boss has a full squad to choose from, with the exception of Marshall Leonard, who is out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury. The competition for places, believes Nicol, was a key reason for a lively training session on Wednesday.
"It means people have to step up in order to either keep their place or get a place. We did give the guys who started (against Columbus) an extra day off, so hopefully we have got the benefit of that," Nicol said. "Certainly, the attitude of everybody on the field this morning was great and hopefully we can continue that for the rest of the season."
Nicol admits he has a "good" problem to deal with when it comes to team selection and said that, with everyone looking in good health, preparation for Sunday's match will be done with quality, rather than quantity, in mind.
"We really just want to see us doing things to keep us sharp and not drain us. We are not going to be out on then field for hours on end for the sake of it," he said. "If we can get some good work in and it's sharp then we will cut things short."
Peaking at the right time is a key in any sport. In MLS, as Matt Reis pointed out last week, "you play 32 games to now play four." With a trip to Frisco just three good results away, motivation is not something that the Revolution, or indeed any of the eight sides in contention for the Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy, are going to be short of.
"Motivation will take care of itself," said Joseph. "We know how huge the game is this weekend. It will be a great atmosphere and the crowd will be going wild so we need to match (Chicago's) intensity. It's important that we come out of the gates ready to play."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
