Maybe there's just something about New England Revolution midfielder Gary Flood and the beginning of the season.
A spate of injuries prior to the 2007 season opener meant Flood became only the third supplemental draft pick to start his team's first game of the season as a rookie. He played in the next game as a substitute before fading back towards the reserves.
Flood wasn't expected to see much time on the field during the team's first two games in 2008. The Revs had retooled and added players in midfield. Jeff Larentowicz and Shalrie Joseph, both coming off standout seasons, were firmly entrenched in the starting lineup.
Then fate intervened and Flood appeared in both games for the second season running.
Flood would probably admit that the circumstances weren't ideal in either case. In the season opener against Houston, Steve Ralston landed awkwardly on his shoulder and needed a replacement. With a two-goal lead, Flood came on to close out the game.
There would be no closing out in the second game in Chicago. Larentowicz earned his dismissal with a sliding challenge after seven minutes. Flood entered to plug the hole for the next 83 minutes of the team's 4-0 defeat.
Flood said that getting those opportunities are part of his role on the team.
"It's what you play for," Flood said. "Shalrie and Jeff are tremendous players. But if something happens, you have to be ready."
Being ready means settling into the game as quickly as possible. The only way to do that, Flood said, is to get on the ball as soon as possible.
"Getting some touches [helps]," Flood said. "It's tough coming off the bench. It was freezing out there [in Chicago]. It takes a while to warm up."
Warming up might mean sticking with the first team longer than he did last year.
Flood waited 2-1/2 months after those first two games for his next appearance when he came on at halftime against Toronto. He started the next game against Chivas USA on June 30 after Joseph and Larentowicz were ruled out with injuries. One last cameo, a three-minute stint against Colorado in August, finished off his season.
Out of the first team picture, Flood spent most of his time in the reserves, captaining the side and playing every minute of the team's 12 reserve matches.
"I just want to get games where I can at this point," Flood said.
For the time being, those games will occur in the first team. Larentowicz can't play on Wednesday in Kansas City because of his Chicago red card and Flood will likely play in his place.
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol thinks Flood's lengthy stint against Chicago showcased his mental toughness.
"He reads the game well," Nicol said. "Mentally, he's up for it. He didn't go out there and panic. He's got a calm head on his shoulders. We knew that from last year when he got pitched in against Chicago [in the season opener]."
Remaining on the field when Larentowicz returns from suspension will prove challenging for Flood. Nicol believes Flood has the talent to feature on a regular basis, but needs to show the team that he can perform at a high level regularly before making the step into the starting 11.
"For him, it's about the consistency," Nicol said. "We know what he can do."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
