FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – While the table indicates the New England Revolution's season has already ended, the schedule still shows four remaining games.
The Revs have been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, and boss Steve Nicol now faces the task of keeping his players motivated despite any hope of a championship. But the coach said that he will not tolerate a lack of professionalism from his side as the season winds to a close.
“Any team of mine that steps on the field steps on to win the game,” Nicol told MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday. “That's what we're going to do over the next four games. We hope that's what the outcome will be and it may or may not be, but the one thing I won't accept is anything less than 100 percent.”
If New England can remain engaged while playing out the schedule, they can start to lay the foundation for next season. There are plenty of problems to address, according to Revolution striker Kheli Dube.
“We have to work on what we haven't done this year,” Dube said. “This is the start of next season, if you look at it, and we just have to keep working hard and trying to improve.”
Those improvements may not lead the Revs to the right end of the table this season, but they could help to start the preparations for the upcoming campaign.
“Maybe we haven't gotten into that mentality just yet, but, as sad as it sounds, the 2011 preparations start this weekend,” Revolution midfielder Pat Phelan said.
“It's frustrating, but consider the alternative. We could weep and whine for the last four games and sink or we can try to go out there and get something out of it. Hopefully, we can continue to develop some chemistry for next year.”
While sorting out those chemistry concerns remains important, the Revs must also face the inevitability of sweeping squad changes during the offseason. The looming personnel alterations mean that each player needs to perform to his capabilities in order to secure his place on next year's team.
It all adds up to a formula that will require New England to take the field with pride.
“Every time you step on the field, you want to play well and win,” Phelan said. “There's no reason to not go out there and play well. From an individual standpoint, everyone wants a spot. We want to be here next year. There's that to play for as well.”
