Pair creating midfield magic

Shalrie Joseph and Khano Smith first met as opponents on a junior college soccer field in Syracuse, N.Y., Joseph playing for Bryant & Stratton and Smith for Champlain in 1999.

It might have been a good opportunity for agents and scouts, or anyone interested in a preview of future professionals.

Joseph (Grenada) and Smith (Bermuda) were a long way from their origins then, and it has taken a series of coincidences and the eye for talent of Revolution coach Steve Nicol to unite them. Both players missed the Revolution season opener, a 1-0 loss at Chicago last week, but they returned and made strong showings in a 4-0 victory over Toronto FC Saturday night.

The Revolution controlled the midfield, Joseph setting the tone with his anticipation and ability to distribute the ball.

And Smith and Steve Ralston broke down the opposing wings, Smith's powerful runs leading to Taylor Twellman's 12th-minute goal and Ralston's runs into space and cross setting up Twellman in the 18th minute.

Smith has recovered from a knee injury sustained in the 2005 playoffs that caused him to miss most of last season. He started only twice last season, but he became an effective substitute in the playoffs -- his impressive advance set up Twellman for the opening goal in the MLS Cup. Though Smith began this season with a hamstring strain, he appears set for a breakout season.

Smith probably has the best combination of speed and left-footed force among the league's left wings, but because of his height and lankiness, coaches usually had him performing as a forward, his position for the Bermuda national team.

"It is my best chance for playing time," Smith said of playing on the left side in a 3-5-2 alignment. "I'm comfortable there, I've played there before. As long as I come back on defense, the coaches want me to use my strong points, express myself, and take guys on.

"Everyone has something to prove, everyone wants to get better. I want to show I am capable of playing and succeeding at this level."

Smith was mostly overlooked during his days at Maine Central Institute, Champlain, and Lees-McRae College, then with the Carolina Dynamo. Smith scored a goal for Bermuda against the Revolution in a 2005 exhibition game and then was signed by the team. Smith was considered a forward then.

The Revolution started tentatively in their opener but shifted into gear against Toronto for a home-opening crowd of 18,184. Joseph converted a penalty kick (61st minute) after Adam Cristman was fouled, and Andy Dorman finished the scoring in the 72d minute.

"We haven't played like that for a while," Smith said. "Normally, we have difficulty putting teams away. But this time we were cruising in the second half."

Wells Thompson's 85th-minute score off a rebound of a Chris Loftus shot gave the Revolution a 3-2 win over Toronto in a reserve game yesterday morning. Andrea Lombardo, a former Atalanta and Perugia youth team striker, scored twice for Toronto and Miguel Gonzalez (52d minute) and Willie Sims (65th) converted for the Revolution.

Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.