There's no substitute for the play of Dorman
FOXBOROUGH -- A year ago, Andy Dorman and Khari Stephenson were performing in the low-profile world of Massachusetts collegiate soccer. Last weekend, they became key figures in the MLS playoffs, Dorman setting up the clinching score as the Revolution eliminated Columbus and Stephenson scoring Kansas City's first goal in a 3-0 win over defending champion San Jose.
Those results moved the Revolution and Wizards a game away from the MLS Cup. Kansas City hosts Los Angeles tomorrow night and the Revolution visit D.C. United Saturday night in the conference finals. The final is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Carson, Calif.
Dorman, who played for Wales's Under-18 team and for Boston University, has been a regular substitute for the Revolution, performing in 20 regular-season matches. Dorman started twice when the Revolution lost several players to injury in June, and scored twice as a replacement in August.
Stephenson, who performed for Jamaica's Under-18 team and for Williams College, had played 44 minutes in three games during the MLS regular season. Stephenson made his first start for Kansas City in the team's most important match, replacing veteran Russian striker Igor Simutenkov and providing his first goal in the 26th minute. Simutenkov entered midway through the second half and contributed to the series-deciding score.
Neither player was highly rated by MLS teams, Dorman selected in the sixth round of the draft and Stephenson in the third round, then traded from Chicago to Kansas City. Neither BU nor Williams are known for producing soccer players, but both have had players of national-team caliber, some going on to play in the MLS Cup or World Cup finals.
Dorman, in fact, was not planning to spend much time in the Boston area, arriving at BU for what he thought would be "a footballing vacation."
Dorman has emerged as a specialist in sparking the Revolution as a late-game substitute, his dynamic runs from a deep-lying midfield position setting up Taylor Twellman's goal against regular-season champion Columbus in the first round of the playoffs.
In the last three weeks, the most important Revolution games of the season, Dorman's entry has helped the team either protect or extend advantages as the Revolution qualified for the playoffs with a 2-1 win over Chicago, then eliminated Columbus with a 1-0 win and 1-1 tie. In those matches, Dorman replaced Jose Cancela, a combination first used by coach Steve Nicol in a 2-1 win over Sporting Clube de Portugal in a May exhibition, and which has resulted in a 5-0-4 record for the Revolution.
Dorman's role has ostensibly been to be a defensive replacement who refreshes the team with his enthusiasm and marking. But Dorman is also adding a potent offensive threat, which discourages opposing defenders from advancing. Dorman was at his best in setting up Twellman for a goal and scoring himself in a 3-0 win at Dallas Aug. 11, then scoring the tying goal in a 2-2 draw at D.C. United Aug. 14, entering those matches in the 83d and 85th minutes.
"To be fair, I was looking to do a year at BU, like a footballing vacation," said Dorman, who scored 22 goals in four seasons for the Terriers. "But I liked it and ended up staying. Otherwise, I would have gone back home to college and played in the League of Wales.
"I was nervous in the preseason playing with guys like Joe-Max Moore and Taylor Twellman. I didn't know if I could play at this level. Now, I am trying to force my way into the starting 11, but the quality of the starting players is high. When I go in, I just run my heart out and try to make a difference in the game."
Dorman played on the right wing for BU coach Neil Roberts, but has been a central midfielder for the Revolution.
"Andy is an interesting player," Nicol said. "He has what not too many players have, a knack for making a forward run, and he times it well. He knows when the situation is right and his instincts are to go forward, then he adds his own touch to the play."
