Hey ya’ll!

On The Field

Our last game was against San Jose this past Saturday. It was a game that I think all the boys would like to forget. We got quite the whoopin’! We ended up losing 4-0. The score does not really reveal how the game really went. We did not play well by any means, but we did not deserve to lose 4-0. Hey it’s just one of those games you try to learn from, but also one where you kind of just have to forget and move on. We have to understand that there are going to be games like that from time to time. We just must make sure that we learn our lesson from that game and make sure that it does not happen again. We were missing a couple key players on our team, which in my mind no doubt hurt us. We have plenty of depth on the team and guys that can step in and not miss a beat, but we sure did miss Micheal Parkhurst and Shalrie Joseph in San Jose. “Parky” was just getting home for the Olympics and Shalrie was serving a one game suspension for his red card against Chicago the week before. Sometimes you do not really notice or realize how much a player means to the team until they are not out there. I realized that about Parky and Shalrie in San Jose. Look, I understand that it is a team game and that every player is vital to the team’s success. I am a big proponent of the team concept and believe that should be stressed with every team. But I also realize the importance of certain players. I can’t say enough about Shalrie and Parky as players and as people. They are very vital to the team and our success and I fully realized their importance to our team in their absence against San Jose. It will be good to have them back for our upcoming game against DC United on Wednesday.

Off The Field

Off the field not too much has been going on with me over the past week or so. We have been traveling quite a bit, so mainly I have just been resting up and taking it easy. I put a lot of importance on soccer. It is something that I am passionate about and I want to do the very best that I can. I am very competitive and have very high standards for myself so I want to win every game and I want to play the best I can in every game. It doesn’t really always work out like that though. In fact, things here recently have not been going that way at all. Sometimes I can put so much into soccer that it affects my life outside the game. A bad practice or game or lose can turn my world upside down. Now, for the most part I am a positive and sensible person, but sometimes I just lose it. You know the saying “leave all your work at work when you leave?” Well I have been trying to apply that to my life. I was becoming somebody that I did not want to become. I was miserable to be around at times. Now I am not saying by any means that I have lost my competitive edge or anything at all like that, I am just saying that I am trying to adapt to the pressures and demands of the professional game in a better manner. There are a lot of ups and downs in sports, just like there are in life. I believe, among other things, that what separates athletes is how they deal with things when they are down. I had a good first year, it would have been great if we won the Cup, so coming into this year my expectations and goals were much higher. I wanted to establish myself as a starter and a premier player in the league. Things have not gone like I had planned them, but I believe in myself and have faith that God has plans for me and that he will take care of me. I know that sulking and doubting will only hurt me further, so I am trying to continue to work hard and try and look on the positive side of things. Like I said, I believe in myself, and I know that without a doubt I can be a good professional.

So like I said, our next game is Wednesday against good ‘ole D.C. United. I really can’t stand DC so I am looking forward to the game and hoping to put them in their place. They are a good team and have some really good players, but they are not the quality that we are. I do not say that to be arrogant, I just believe it to be the truth. I don’t consider myself an arrogant man at all, in fact I feel that I am very humble.I definitely owe that and accredit that to my upbringing and my parents. My parents raised me right. I cannot thank them enough for all that they have done for me, sacrificed for me, given me, and loved and cared for me. I owe all that I am and all that I have and have become to my parents. They have always stood by my side, no matter what. I am so grateful for the hours they put into driving me to tournaments, washing my stained and dirty uniforms, and their love, sacrifice, and support for me following my dreams. There was a time in my life when I would not have been able to express that. As I have gotten older and matured, I have begun to realize more and more how blessed I have been and am to have such wonderful parents. I hope one day I can make millions and take care of them like they have of me. Somewhat kidding, but that would be nice huh? I hope one day I can be the kind of parent to my kids as my parents were to me.

-Hope ya’ll enjoyed this week’s blog! Have a great rest of the week-Take care, God bless, and be easy!

-wells

The past week has not been easy for a team with standards as high as the Revolution. Last Saturday marked the Revs’ first loss in 10 games, in front of 19,000+ at home. Not to mention Tuesday’s showing at the Open Cup semi-final in D.C… Steve Nicol’s team (composed almost entirely of reserves) practically gifted the United their title and trophy. But looking forward, New England looks to redeem themselves with a more convincing performance in San Jose this Saturday.

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.

Though I could easily come up with at least eight excuses (ie. the elevation, the surface, the travel…) as to why the Revolution fell to Real Salt Lake on Saturday night, there is no denying the fact that they just plain played poorly. A lot of the team’s success this season is a result of getting by on makeshift lineups and fortitude. But as we approach the halfway point of the MLS season, that may no longer be enough.

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.

After posting a convincing shut-out against Houston for the second time this season, the Revolution move on to face yet another significant rival- the New York Red Bulls. New York fell to D.C. 4-1 during their last match and look to make their way up the conference table during a two-game Week 13.

The “I-95 rivals” last met mid-April, resulting in a 1-1 draw. New York’s Jozy Altidore found the back of the net first in the 30th minute. Amaechi Igwe’s defense proved ineffective as Altidore made his run up the right side of the field, and Jeff Larentowicz was no match for the pace of the star striker. The second half began dramatically as New England’s playmaker Mauricio Castro was ejected in the opening minute. After being fouled by Kevin Goldthwaite, Castro kicked out at the player, leaving the Revs with 10 men on the field.

Despite the number disadvantage, New England leveled the score in the 54th minute on a set piece. Adam Cristman went down at the top of the box, warranting a somewhat controversial free kick. Eight men stood between the goal and Larentowicz, who is typically known for his power shots. However, Jay Heaps did well to jump out of the wall, a New York player following suit, while Shalrie Joseph wrecked general havoc among the other seven, allowing for a well placed shot to tie it up. The words Juan Carlos Osorio must have had for his team…

A few notes:
- Both Steve Ralston (captain/playmaker) and his goal-scoring counterpart Taylor Twellman missed this match due to injuries. (I feel like this makes my game notes frequently.) While our beloved Rallie has recovered and reclaimed his place in the midfield, the notorious Red Bull Killer isn’t slated to make his return until the end of this month or the beginning of the next.
- The switch from a 3-5-2 to a 4-man backline to maintain the tie was an intelligent strategic move. BUT, this gives New England little excuse for allowing the kind of pressure New York brought in the final minutes of the match.
- The Red Bulls really took Kenny Mansally out of the play last time around. In fact, it was easy to forget he was even on the field. The Revs’ forwards are really going to have work to get free Wednesday night to score in the run of play.

From a New England standpoint, conditions are certainly in their favor. The home record against New York is 17-4-4. Jozy Altidore is out of the picture, and Juan Pablo Angel and Claudio Reyna are both injured. And while Kenny Mansally and Khano Smith are still gone for national team duty, Shalrie Joseph has made a surprise last-minute return. Given the circumstances, it has been speculated that John Wolyniec will be a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation for the Red Bulls. Matched up against the Revs’ 3-5-2, that makes for a crowded midfield.

I’m predicting another New England victory. Blind faith in the team aside, Joseph is back and Matt Reis is a monster between the pipes. And New York is going to have trouble getting out of their own way with their recent record and player losses. 2-0 Revolution

The New England Revolution heads south this week for their ESPN Primetime Thursday match-up against the Houston Dynamo. Both teams find themselves at the top of their conferences, but missing familiar faces during Week 12 for World Cup qualifiers.

When the Dynamo last met the Revolution at Gillette Stadium in March, their 2007 MLS Cup victory provided little comfort for the 3-0 beating they took. Significant changes in the Revs’ starting XI had taken place, and though coach Steve Nicol was confident in his men, the home fans were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief by the 15th minute. Sainey Nyassi’s combination of speed and stepovers saw him up the right flank, his through ball connecting with fellow Gambian Kenny Mansally and then captain Steve Ralston for the finish. It was a showcase of just how potent the youth and veteran combination could be for New England.

Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad was certainly feeling the heat, despite the New England winter weather. He managed to block Jeff Larentowicz’s signature rocket shot off a quick restart, only to have Adam Cristman head the rebound home in the 32nd minute, denied Cristman later on a 1-on-1, and allowed Sainey Nyassi’s Week 1 Goal of the Week in stoppage time.

To be fair, the Orange took a similar 13 shots (5 of which were on goal); however, only one of which managed to make the FSC highlight reel. It was a Stuart Holden header off a cross from Brian Mullan, which Matt Reis’s diving save cleared.

A few notes:
- Being the first game of the season, Houston probably didn’t know what to expect from the new faces on the New England squad. The Revs have never been known for their speed, but this year’s youth have certainly brought just that. Given that this is now mid-season, expect the Dynamo to be a little more prepared.
- Also, the weather had to be tough for Houston. It was easily 30° warmer on the other side of that plane ride in March. Lucky(?) for the Revs, they had a few days of 100+° weather to acclimate to before their departure.

So back to Week 12. The injury report and list of international absences reads more like a team roster; there’s a whole side in there! For Houston, Wade Barrett is questionable with an adductor strain, and forward Brian Ching, withdrawn forward Dwayne De Rosario, and goalkeeper Pat Onstad are all away on national team duty. Good news for the Revs. Bad news for the Revs? Kenny Mansally, Shalrie Joseph, and Khano Smith are also gone for World Cup qualifiers. And Gary Flood, who has filled the hole left by Larentowicz on occasion, is listed as doubtful with an ankle sprain. Joseph’s absence is huge, and it will be interesting to see how the team adjusts.

My prediction? Houston was off to a slow start, but seems to have found a formula that works. That said, they’re missing three of the largest components. New England is on a five-game unbeaten streak and has never lost to Houston during the regular season. To me, this game is a test of Steve Nicol’s favorite word this season: Depth. 1-0 New England.