FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The task ahead of the New England Revolution is a familiar one.
For the second consecutive season, the Revs will open the regular season at Los Angeles. The characters may have changed a bit on both sides since the Galaxy's 1-0 victory last March, but LA's win at Seattle on Tuesday night reinforced the challenge the Supporters' Shield holders will present on Sunday night.
“It's going to be a baptism of fire, going to LA,” New England forward Zack Schilawski told MLSsoccer.com before the team departed the area on Friday. “It's one of the best venues, I think, in the league. We're playing one of the most confident teams in the league. I think it's going to be a good opportunity for us because it's a good measuring stick to see what we can do this year.”
Bruce Arena's side may not have displayed its top form in Seattle, but the battered Galaxy managed to escape from Qwest Field with all three points by leaning on their defensive organization and revealing their attacking nous on the counter.
The Galaxy could pose an even greater danger to the Revolution with Juan Pablo Angel (illness), Omar Gonzalez (shoulder) and Donovan Ricketts (hamstring) set to return to the lineup if they prove their fitness. The returning players would just make LA an even tougher test, according to Revolution coach Steve Nicol.
“I think that the things they said at the time in the commentary booth were true,” Nicol said. “They've got a lot of experience. They've got legs as well along with a couple of superstars. It's a great combination.”
The Revs will have to compile their own mix without three projected starters. Nicol ruled out Kevin Alston (hamstring) and Ousmane Dabo (quadriceps) earlier in the week, while Didier Domi (knee swelling) did not recover in time to make the trip to southern California.
Nicol will have to shuffle his pack a bit to fill in the holes. Zak Boggs has received most of the reps in Alston's place, though Nicol could opt for a different look with the adjustments required to accommodate Chris Tierney's potential shift to left back to replace Domi. Stephen McCarthy and Pat Phelan look likely to tussle for the right to partner Shalrie Joseph in central midfield.
Despite the absence of a couple of key regulars and the injection of some younger players into the lineup, New England must do more than sit back and soak up pressure if they want to avenge the defeat to start last season and kick off the 2011 campaign with the right result, according to Schilawski.
“We're going to have to try to take the game to them and press them a little bit,” Schilawski said. “We started out at LA last year. We lost, but, to be fair, we could have easily gotten a point, maybe even three points, out of that game. It's not going to be easy, but I definitely think it's doable to go in there and make a mark early in the season.”
