The Revs have played 32 games this season and it has become pretty obvious. All four of the team’s forwards are on the current injury report, as is team captain Steve Ralston. The rest of the team, well, they’re just running on empty. Can anyone who has watched the past few games honestly say that six extra fixtures all over the western hemisphere sounds feasible? The Revs still have eight more MLS games and (hopefully) a good run in the post-season ahead.

Yes, I understand that CONCACAF Champions League was an opportunity for the Revolution and Major League Soccer in general to showcase their progress on an international stage. I also get that they blew the U.S. Open Cup semi-final by fielding a team almost entirely composed of reserves. But the Revs got the opportunity to participate in these tournaments by being a top team in MLS. They won SuperLiga, a competition against renowned Mexican sides. That’s certainly something. Now it’s time to focus on the final stretch- a time during which one win can land you at the top of the conference, and one loss gives multiple teams the opportunity to leapfrog you in the standings.

Rather than accusing all but two players of having no desire, and questioning the athletic abilities of rookies, New England fans should be acknowledging the club’s focus on attaining that elusive prize: the MLS Cup. One game a week should allow the Revs ample time to get back on track and healthy for the play-offs. Until all is righted (or rested) as far as tired legs go, relax fellow ardent Revolution supporters. As Shalrie Joseph assured us as he descended the stairs to the locker room Tuesday night, “It’s going to be all right, everybody.”

The Revs last met the Earthquakes on May 17th. Kheli Dube’s first MLS goal and James Riley’s embarrassing miscommunication with Joe Cannon and consequent own goal saw the home Blue walk away with a 2-0 win. The speed of Sainey Nyassi on the right flank and the general work rate of Dube proved to be key in the team’s success.

However, three months later, things could be (and are) different. The lineup San Jose has been fielding as of late contains roughly half the players the Revs met in May. And the Quakes’ new look must be working for them, as they are currently riding a month-long unbeaten streak.

In a weekend filled with MLS match-ups that could really shake up the Eastern Conference table, the Revolution need this victory to stay on top. And it’s doable. New England is 6-2-1 while away, topping San Jose’s 2-3-3 home record. More good news? The Quakes are going to be without defender Ryan Cochrane due to yellow card accumulation. The bad news? The Revs’ Jeff Larentowicz and Sainey Nyassi are both one booking away from being in the same boat. The biggest question mark is New England’s front line, though. On the injury report, Kheli Dube is listed as out, Kenny Mansally as doubtful, and Taylor Twellman as questionable. That leaves a slightly rusty Adam Cristman to be partnered with either Twellman, or maybe even Steve Ralston as a withdrawn forward? With Shalrie Joseph suspended, a withdrawn forward scenario could be likely in a more defensive-minded formation.

My predictions? A lot depends on New England’s goal production. Michael Parkhurst’s absence has left the back line a little leaky, so the Revs will likely have to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities to go home with the full 3 points.

The Revs are undefeated in SuperLiga, the only team in the entire tournament with such bragging rights. And while Houston isn’t far behind with one loss, the teams’ MLS records paint a more vivid picture. Houston is 6-4-8 and New England is a telling 10-4-3. Not to mention, the Revs thumped the Orange 5-0 in this season’s 2-game series.

Personnel-wise, it’s not quite clear which team has the advantage. As the Revolution’s injury list is finally shrinking, Houston has added Richard Mulrooney and Eddie Robinson to theirs. Both teams also have players in Beijing (New England’s Michael Parkhurst and Houston’s Patrick Ianni and Stuart Holden). But with Jay Heaps suspended, the Revs are presented with a few question marks. Jeff Larentowicz has already slid into the center back position with Parkhurst gone. Who will join him in the makeshift back line? Perhaps the recovering Pat Phelan. Will Steve Nicol continue to employ the 4-4-2? Can Larentowicz step up and communicate and organize as well as his missing teammates? And who will keep on a sometimes spacey Amaechi Igwe, if not Heaps?

Another big factor to be considered; this is a home game for New England. Home fans, no travel, and almost a week between games. The Dynamo, on the other hand, had an MLS match-up Saturday night and now must travel the almost 2,000 miles to Massachusetts for the Tuesday night SuperLiga final.

My prediction? 2-1 New England. The past two meetings have been fast-paced and have seen many scoring opportunities for both teams. If the Revs can continue to capitalize on the speed of Sainey Nyassi and Mauricio Castro on the wings, and the patchwork defense can hold it together, they might just take the SuperLiga title.

This week, the Revs travel to LA for an Independence Day match-up against the Galaxy. David Beckham and crew (my apologies Galaxy fans) are coming off a less heartening game, having lost 4-1 to D.C. United on Sunday.

Friday marks not only the teams’ first meeting of the season, but also the first time New England encounters Beckham on the pitch. The Revolution has not yet experienced the Beckham-Landon Donovan linkup that has proved to be so dangerous this season. And Edson Buddle has landed his share in the back of the net up to now. But the Revs have a monster midfield and backline in place, and will work hard to limit the Galaxy’s attacking options. New England also cannot afford to give Beckham space. We all know that guy can put a ball anywhere at any time and too many teams have let him do just that.

The Revolution is just 3-10-3 all time at LA, but I don’t think that record matters much. The Galaxy scores goals, but they also allow goals. If New England can hold down the fort in the defensive third, they have four effective strikers (plus leading scorer Ralston) who can get the job done in whatever order they appear. I’m reluctant to make a numerical prediction for this game. It has the potential to be a high scoring one, but there are a lot of variables that could put either team on top. … Happy Fourth of July. 2-2.

Saturday night’s win made Steve Nicol’s camp more than a satisfied crew; it landed them in charge of the MLS All-Star team for another year in a row. The Revs edged out the Columbus coaching staff with a 9-4-3 record (1.875 points per game) besting the Crew’s 8-4-2 (1.857 ppg).

Captain Steve Ralston received his second career MLS Player of the Week honor for his Week 14 performance. He last merited the title eleven years ago. Since then, he has earned 36 caps with the USMNT, 6 MLS All-Star honors, all three of the league’s longevity records, and is ranked first in career assists and game-winning assists. Congrats, Rally!

And perhaps most obviously, Taylor Twellman has made his return (again). After generating much excitement by jogging behind the signboards for a majority of the game, Twellman stepped on the field in the 79th minute. Nicol also plans to have him start during the Open Cup match as he strives to return to full fitness

This week, New England will look to rebound against Toronto FC at home. It will mark the teams’ first meeting of the season, the last being October 20, 2007. (Remember Michael Parkhurst’s wonder goal?) But this Toronto team is very different from the one the Revs procured a 2-0-1 record against last year.

Toronto holds a 1-4-0 away record this season, which bodes well for New England. However, the Revolution are only 3-2-2 at home. As I alluded to before, they need to step it up. With Shalrie Joseph, Khano Smith, and Kenny Mansally all back from World Cup qualifiers, the Revs may be able to restore some semblance of consistency. And if you’re beginning to hear the faint echoes of a hallelujah chorus, it’s probably because Taylor Twellman may be making his return to the Revs’ bench during the team’s last MLS home game until August.

With both teams looking to improve upon last week’s results – and both coaches vying for a position with the All-Star team – it could prove to be a close match. My prediction? 2-1 New England.