FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Like any good backup goalkeeper, Bobby Shuttleworth monitored the developing situation involving New England No. 1 Matt Reis carefully.
Shuttleworth knew about all of the tweaks Reis had battled over the past month or two. He knew that Reis' ankle might require something more substantial than a stint in the treatment room. He knew his chance to play might arrive at some point as the Revs concluded the 2010 campaign.
As Shuttleworth weighed the implications of all of that information, he knew something else: He had to be ready to go when his opportunity finally arrived.
“I know he had a couple of knocks here and there,” Shuttleworth told MLSsoccer.com on Thursday. “They had mentioned to me that he was thinking about maybe getting the surgery. It wasn't the type of thing that just blindsided me. I play and practice hard every day to play in the games, so I was ready to go.”
[inline_node:307650]All of that preparation paid off as Shuttleworth assumed the starting role in time for Sunday's 2-1 victory over Houston. The second-year goalkeeper had started three previous matches this season – two in league play, one in SuperLiga – and built on those performances by looking calm and assured between the sticks against the Dynamo.
His six saves played a crucial role in allowing the Revs to escape Robertson Stadium with all three points.
“He looked really strong and solid and he didn't really make any mistakes, which was great,” Revolution coach Steve Nicol said.
Shuttleworth's performance in Texas made the news about Reis' right ankle surgery pass just a little bit easier. Reis will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing a procedure to remove a bone spur and smooth out cartilage, leaving Shuttleworth to retain his spot in the lineup for the final two matches of the season.
The likely three-game stint in net marks the first extended run of MLS games for Shuttleworth. For a backup goalkeeper stuck behind an entrenched starter, this chance doesn't come along particularly often, though Nicol said he had planned to hand the 23-year-old Shuttleworth the opportunity to impress at some point before the end of the season even if Reis was fit.
“It's great that he can actually get games,” Nicol said. “We had planned to give him a game anyway, but the fact he did well means it's really easy that he plays again. We know he'll do a great job, as he did in Houston.”
Shuttleworth's starting gig continues when Kansas City visit Gillette Stadium on Saturday night. The former University at Buffalo star hopes to use his second straight start to develop some consistency in his performances and horde the experience he needs to hone his skills at this level.
Most importantly, he wants to help the Revs find a way to oust the Wizards from the playoff chase and prolong their recent run of good form.
“The more games I get, obviously, the more experience I get,” Shuttleworth said. “It's something I need right now being a young goalkeeper in the league. I need to play in games, so any opportunity I get, I'm ecstatic to play.”
