New England Revolution head coach Steve Nicol has noted one significant difference for Sunday's MLS Cup rematch against Houston Dynamo.
For once, New England has all of its relevant players at its disposal and the other side lacks a couple of key players.
"The biggest difference for us is that we're healthy," Nicol said. "Shalrie [Joseph] was limping and running two years ago. Last year, we had to bring Clint Dempsey off the bench."
Pat Noonan vanquished the last remaining injury doubt by shaking off a groin injury prior to the Eastern Conference, leaving Nicol to survey the training field on Friday and assess every active player as available for selection.
But it hasn't worked out quite as well for Dynamo. Key midfielder Ricardo Clark is in the midst of a lengthy suspension for kicking Carlos Ruiz and coach Dominic Kinnear labeled striker Brian Ching as "doubtful" with a calf injury.
"If Ching doesn't play, it's one less guy we need to worry about because he's a great player," Nicol said. "They still have [Nate] Jaqua and [Joseph] Ngwenya. Ngwenya is capable of doing a lot of unorthodox things with the ball. But if Ching doesn't play, we won't be too unhappy."
Revs defender Avery John said a win or loss wouldn't come down to whether or not Ching suited up for the final.
"They've got good players," Revs defender Avery John said. "That's why they made the final."
John did cite one key to the match: obtaining the ball and keeping it away from Dwayne De Rosario and whoever starts up top for Houston.
"It all depends on possession," John said. "Hopefully, our guys can cut out the service."
Revs midfielder Shalrie Joseph said his team will have watch when Dynamo sends extra players forward into the attack.
"When they attack, they attack in numbers," Joseph said. "When they lose the ball, they always have numbers behind the ball. When they make a mistake, they cover for each other."
On the offensive side of the ball, New England will face those dropping numbers and the stingiest defense in league history. Nicol said Dynamo's success on the defensive side of the ball comes from the team's defensive mentality.
"I think their defenders take it personally when they lose a challenge," Nicol said.
John noted another similarity that reflects Dynamo's defensive mentality around the park.
"They don't let up in a lot of games," John said.
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
