Pizza Hut Park -- to meet FC Dallas. The venue, of course, conjures up some unhappy memories for the team's fans, who likely break into a cold sweat as they recollect watching their side come so close to MLS Cup glory at the Frisco, Texas, stadium in each of the past two years.
For the players, especially the men who were involved in both of those heartbreaking losses, however, the need is to look forward at events on which they can have an influence, rather than dwelling on past matters that are out of their control.
"It's really the media and fans that talk about past finals," said Matt Reis after Tuesday's game. "Anytime you are in a final it's a new situation. Previous finals don't really mean anything; we just need to get over the top. It's a one-off game and anything can happen."
After losing out to Los Angeles and Houston for the MLS championship, facing the tenants of Pizza Hut Park in a final will be a new experience for the Revs. While their record of two wins in three games at the ground against FC Dallas is impressive, like Reis, Steve Ralston is well aware that the past will count for little in the Oct. 3 final.
"You can't take reaching finals for granted," said Ralston. "We have been very close in the past and I guess that being in Dallas would be nice after our experiences there. Either way it will be a battle like (the semifinal)."
Joking that he would 'just take a trophy right now', Ralston spoke of the confidence he has in the side he captains. Against Carolina, veterans Jay Heaps and Taylor Twellman were missing, while Shalrie Joseph was sent off in the first half. Despite the absence of that important trio, the Revs were able to bounce back from a goal down, as less experienced players such as Jeff Larentowicz, Adam Cristman and the side's newest member, Gambian midfielder, Sainey Nyassi, stepped up.
Echoing his skipper's comments, Reis spoke of the important blend that is provided by the mix of youth and experience in the Revs' locker room.
"You're only as good as your weakest player," he said. "The young guys are learning a lot and contributing while the veterans need to keep providing that leadership."
With a place in one cup final assured, New England will continue to push for a spot in another when they return to league action this weekend.
In what could be a pivotal matchup in the race for homefield advantage in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the Revs travel to the site of this year's final to take on D.C. United, who currently are tied atop the Eastern Conference standings with New England. If the teams were to be tied at the end of the regular season, the head-to-head season series is the first tie-breaker -- and a New England victory Sunday would leave it all square for 2007.
The importance of playing at home in the postseason is not one that is lost on Reis.
"You saw what happened last year against Chicago when we were able to play the extra 30 minutes on our home field," Reis said. "We are looking for that again."
Citing Labor Day as a symbolic moment in the regular season, Reis is urging his teammates to admits that New England need to increase their level of consistency in the coming weeks.
"We have seven games left," the veteran 'keeper said. "We have rounded that last turn in the regular season and are in a good position but still need to be more consistent and get away from the good game, bad game syndrome."
A feature of the success enjoyed in recent years by the Revolution has been the side's ability to reach the playoffs in top form and repeating that happy habit is the aim again in 2007. Indeed, the side would be delighted if history does repeat itself, after a fashion of course. This time around, the end result needs to have a silver tone.
"In previous years we have come together around this time," said Ralston. "We need to build things up again and roll into the playoffs. Hopefully we are past the tough schedule stretch that we had recently and we can get on a roll."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
