As The New England Revolution battled the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium, lightning illuminating the skies for most of the action.
Despite all the sparks in the air, the Revolution continue to struggle on offense. They have scored only one goal in three matches.
"We're certainly in there in enough games," said Revolution coach Steve Nicol. "We can't get a break."
While many Kansas City residents were hoping for a break in the weather, Nicol apparently will take any kind of break to ignite the Revolution's stagnant offense.
"Whether it's a wonder goal, whether it's a deflected goal, whether it's an own goal -- we just need to get a break," Nicol said.
Goalkeeper Matt Reis gave up his first goal on a looping header from a corner kick by by Jimmy Conrad. The header seemed to bounce off a Revolution defender then sailed high over the head of Joe Franchino at the post on the goal line, kissing the inside of the post before going into the net.
"Goalies can have a lot of things, but they don't all have a calm persona that stays cool when it's calm or they're running them down as well," Nicol said.
Reis helped keep the Revolution in the thick of things Saturday. The Wizards took 12 shots in total, six of which were on goal.
"They had a few opportunities in the first half," Reis said. "I had to come up with a few saves to keep us in the game."
Reis described the Wizards three-forward attack of Josh Wolff, Eddie Johnson and Davy Arnaud as being dangerous. It seemed to match the weather that seemed to be encroaching upon the match.
Reis was able to give a chance to the Revolution offense. A chance to stay with the Wizards, who are getting plenty of production from just about everywhere in their squad -- something that right now is lacking in the Revolution offense.
"We're just a little off, and early in the season that kind of happens," Reis said. "Our passing isn't spot on. We're not missing things by much. We're missing it by a yard or two."
The serenity oozing out of Reis might be contagious to a team looking for goals. He's sure with a few adjustments the offense will be fine. Reis has always tried to keep his composure even when things are stormy.
"It's a long game, it's 90 minutes. There's a lot of things that go on. If I'm calm and composed back there, hopefully that instills a little bit in the people in front of me."
The flipside is goalkeepers that wear their emotions on their sleeves, a personal outburst waiting to happen. That's something that Reis tries to avoid.
"If I'm freaking out, and I'm doing all kinds of spastic things back there. I think that will have an adverse affect on my teammates," Reis said.
The defenders, so far, are helping Reis out plenty.
"We're very good in the back (line). We shift and cover for each other that's what we've done in the past two years," Reis said.
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
