KANSAS CITY, Mo. – New England coach Steve Nicol freely admits playing in Kansas City presents its fair share of peculiar challenges.
Between the high pressure imposed by the Wizards and the tight field at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, the Revs will confront a difficult and unique hurdle as they seek to engineer the perfect response after Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat at Chicago.
“The only thing you know on this field is that there is going to be a lot of activity in the penalty box on both ends,” Nicol told MLSsoccer.com after the Revolution held a short training session at Swope Park on Friday afternoon. “Defensively, we have to be on our toes and make sure we're the ones getting the first and second balls. On the other side, we want to be the ones getting the first and second balls attacking wise. It's all about the penalty box.”
With all 22 players in close proximity, tensions naturally break out between the two sides. In each of the last five matches between the two teams, at least one player has procured a red card. This affair could prompt the same combative mentality considering the stakes – New England enter the weekend five points out of the final playoff berth while Kansas City linger a point behind – and the general deportment of both sides.
“Both teams are aggressive,” Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph said. “Both teams realize there is a lot [on the line], especially this year where everything is so tight in the East. A point here or there could make a difference. I think we expect a battle tomorrow. It's going to be one of those games where it's going to be physical and it's going to be intense. We're just going to have to be ready to match that and whatever they bring out.”
[inline_node:305382]New England expects to name Cory Gibbs in its starting XI as it seeks to match the Wizards' expected intensity. Gibbs limped off with a left ankle sprain in Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat at Chicago, but he said he feels well enough to feature despite the quick turnaroun
“It feels a bit sore, but I'm definitely going to be close to – if not [entirely] – 100 percent by tomorrow,” Gibbs said. “Today was precautionary with a jog, a stretch and touching the ball a bit. I'll feel good tomorrow.”
Gibbs hopes he can extend those positive vibes to his teammates as they seek to place the disappointing midweek defeat at Toyota Park in the rearview mirror by securing a vital three points at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
“I was disappointed when I came out [on Wednesday] and saw it was 1-1, I was praying that we were going to score that goal after I came out,” Gibbs said. “Conceding in the last five minutes was devastating. Tomorrow, we're not expecting anything less than three. We need it and we expect to get it.”
