FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – As a rookie in 2008, Chris Tierney started at left back in the first leg of the New England Revolution’s Eastern Conference semifinal series against Chicago, playing 90 minutes in a scoreless draw.
It was six years and two days – and 149 more regular-season appearances – before Tierney saw postseason action again.
After missing out the Revs' return to the postseason last year due to an ankle injury, Tierney is making the most of the club’s current run in the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs, presented by AT&T.
“It feels great to be involved,” Tierney told MLSsoccer.com. “This is what all of us as pros work for: being involved in big games at the end of the year. Last year, for me, was so disappointing. It’s great to see the club back in the playoffs, and to know that you’ve contributed to getting the team here is a great feeling.”
Which team will the series?
He's more than just "involved" – Tierney provides the Revs with a deadly left-footed set-piece specialist, making them doubly dangerous from dead balls. His wizardry was on display in the first leg of the conference semifinal series against Columbus, when he whistled home a free kick from the top of the penalty arc.
Tierney is also capable of sliding up into the midfield when called upon, allowing New England to push their defensive momentum forward into the attack or adjust formations without making a substitution.
“Chris is a very good player and also a leader of this team,” New England captain José Gonçalves said. “He’s someone we can count on. Every cross, corner kick and every time he has the ball, something special comes from his feet.”
In his seven MLS seasons, all spent with New England, Tierney, the longest-tenured player on the roster, has run through a gamut of emotions, through good years and bad, learning from a talented core of senior players along the way.
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Now the versatile fullback is passing along some of those lessons to help the current Revs gain maturity and make the most of their experience, part of the reason the club has reached the Eastern Conference Championship against the New York Red Bulls, a two-leg series that starts Sunday, Nov. 23 (1:30 pm ET, NBC).
“I just try to pass on any experience that I’ve taken on over my time here,” said Tierney. “I’ve had some great senior players that came before me in Shalrie [Joseph], Jay Heaps, Steve Ralston, Taylor Twellman.”
One of those former teammates, of course, is now the Revolution boss, and third-year head coach Heaps is glad to still have Tierney on his side.
“Chris brings a great presence,” Heaps said. “He’s not only great on the field, but he’s excellent in the locker room. The guys feel that. It’s always good to have someone who’s been in tough situations.”
With that added level of veteran leadership in the mix this time around, New England and Tierney are looking to make the most of an opportunity that was well worth the wait.
