Were the MLS Cup Playoffs to begin today, the New England Revolution would take their spot in the league's knockout stages despite having scored just 1.23 goals per game during the regular season. It is a strike rate which ranks the side in the bottom half of the league, level with New York and above only Los Angeles, Colorado and Columbus.
In recent weeks, the Revolution have picked up their offensive output, averaging closer to two goals per 90 minutes in their current six-game unbeaten run, which has seen Steve Nicol's side overtake Chicago for second place in the East. The fact that the output at the attacking end has helped New England reach the brink of home-field advantage in the postseason's opening round is due in no small part to what has been going on, all year, at the opposite end of the field.
Along with D.C. United, the Revs boast the best defensive record in the league, having given up just 35 goals (1.13 per game) all season. It is an impressive statistic, particularly given that in five games almost half of that total was conceded: at Dallas on May 20 (0-4), at Chicago on June 11 (3-3), at Colorado on July 4 (2-3), July 14 vs. Real Salt Lake (1-3) and at Columbus on Sept. 2 (0-3).
Watching over every Revolution defensive performance has been Matt Reis, who enters this weekend's regular season finale with the Crew with nine shutouts, one short of his career high which he set last year. Reis is the league leader in shots saved with 139, which is 34 ahead of RSL's Scott Garlick and beats his previous season high, also set in 2005, by 24.
In addition to his consistent form, the regular appearance of the Revolution goalkeeper has been one of few personnel constants for the club this season. Along with Taylor Twellman and Andy Dorman, Reis is the only Revolution player to have started every league game this season, and assuming he completes the match on Saturday, the 31-year-old will equal the single-season minutes played record of 2,880, set by Michael Parkhurst last year.
While Reis has suited up for every game this season -- he has missed just one match (through suspension) out of 80 since winning the starting job from Adin Brown in July 2004 -- in front of him have been no fewer than 25 different Revolution starting lineups as injuries have been a constant disruption to Nicol's selection options. Now, says Reis, a more settled side is reaping the benefits of playing together on a regular basis.
"I think that we finally got healthy after stretch of games where people were coming and going. Everything has mellowed out and calmed down and everyone is working together," he said. "As a team we have really got better in terms of our overall consistency. For a while, we would play one good game then one bad game."
Reis's form is all the more impressive given that he and his two goalkeeping colleagues at the Revolution, Doug Warren and T.J. Tomasso, have not had the benefit of working with a goalkeeping coach since former U.S. international David Vanole left the club in July. The trio of netminders have been left largely in charge of their own work away from the rest of the squad at training sessions and Reis admits it has not been easy.
"It is tough because there are some days where you need to get pushed and some days where you don't want to practice too hard when you really need to," Reis said. "It's all on me. If I don't do well then it rests solely on my shoulders and means I didn't prepare myself."
Preparing for training has taken on a new importance since Vanole departed and Reis admits that his form in games is due in no small part to the help he has been given by his deputies.
"I think I have done well and a lot of thanks for that go to Doug and T.J. We all get together and discuss what we need to work on. We've been playing long enough that we know all the drills and the things to do," Reis said. "The one other letdown is when you have questions or you need to talk it over. It's not something that I would want to go on for the next couple of years but, for right now, we've just got to get on with it and make do."
Prior to joining the Revolution in 2003, Reis was with the Galaxy for five seasons, during which time he made just 39 appearances. The time he spent as a reserve has, he believes, made him well aware that it is not wise to rest on one's laurels, no matter how secure their place in a starting lineup might appear to be.
"There is always someone behind you trying to take your spot. It's something that I have learned with being in L.A. and not playing before I got my chance here," he said. "You have to be ready and make sure there is no doubt in the coach's mind that you are the guy and that you can still get it done."
Reis ranks highly in several MLS goalkeeping lists, appearing in the top 10 in career starts (seventh, 125), games played (seventh, 130), minutes (seventh, 11,386) and goals against average (fifth, 1.28). A shutout Saturday would see him carry his career total to 32, which is good for eighth on the league's all-time list.
Furthermore, given the nature of the playoffs, perhaps the most prevalent statistic for Revolution followers to bear in mind in the coming weeks is Reis' extraordinary record when facing penalties. This season, he has saved two of the three spot kicks he has faced in MLS play and watched in the U.S. Open Cup as three Rochester Raging Rhinos players missed from 12 yards.
Two years ago, in the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series, Reis stopped two Crew PKs to preserve the Revolution's aggregate lead. Among the numbers and statistics, the ability and nerve he shows in those 'mano-a-mano' situations might represent his greatest value of all.
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
