Seven games into the season, the New England Revolution's record shows three wins, three defeats and a draw. At no point have the Revs managed to put together even a two-game streak of the same result, be it a victory, loss or tie.
That trend, believes coach Steve Nicol, is directly related to the Revs' inability thus far to field their first-choice starting XI. Thus, with key men ready to return this weekend at Chivas USA, the hope within Gillette Stadium is that a period of greater consistency is imminent.
Before the first quarter of the regular season is complete, New England has already used 18 different players in game action, just one man fewer than Nicol gave playing time to during the entire 2007 campaign.
This year's 19th man is one that, injury aside, would have been a certainty on every team sheet. Indeed, with minutes to go until kickoff in the season opener against Houston, Taylor Twellman was in the starting lineup, only for a knee injury to sideline him for that and the next six games. Almost two months later, the club's all-time leading goalscorer is finally ready to return, to the relief of his coach.
"He's a proven goalscorer," said Nicol. "I don't think it any secret that we'd love to have him back so we'll see what happens. He gives (opposing) teams something to think about."
With just one goal scored in the last four games, following a return of seven in their first three, it's clear that the return of Twellman cannot come soon enough for the Revolution. Nicol admits that a lack of experience has been a contributing factor to the recent ineffectiveness of Adam Cristman and Kenny Mansally, the first-choice front two in Twellman's absence.
Of course, strikers thrive on service and a further factor in the New England goal drought has been the dislocated shoulder that was suffered by the all-time assists leader in MLS, Steve Ralston. The Revolution captain made his return as a second-half substitute in last Saturday's defeat to Chicago, the result of which Nicol said was an instant improvement in his side's play.
"You could see the difference when he came on. He can keep the ball, can play the through ball, he takes up good positions to give and receive it and good positions when we lose it," said the Revolution boss. "He's just a quality player."
Although he says that winning every game is always the aim, Nicol admitted that the problems he has had with team selection this season make the Revs' current position "half-decent."
"I guess it shows the character we have on the team more than anything else. I would like to think that we have done as well as any other team could have done under the circumstances."
Now, though, with key men returning to action, greater consistency is important if New England is to challenge for their sixth consecutive postseason berth. After watching his side slump to its second heavy defeat against Eastern Conference rival Chicago in their last game, Nicol is calling for a more focused effort at Chivas on Sunday.
"We made mistakes and if you make mistakes, sometimes you get punished and sometimes you get away with it," Nicol said. "We got punished last week on three occasions. To be able to put your finger on why goals happen is obviously a big help. If you're not sure then that makes things a lot harder. We certainly know the reason for the breakdowns and we have to stop it happening."
A midday kickoff on the West Coast is sure to further test the resolve of a Revolution side that has faced a number of challenges already this season. With more and more of his stalwarts returning, Nicol is quietly confident that a successful run of form is on the horizon.
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
