NORFOLK - Several tournaments are more lucrative and provide a chance for greater glory than the MLS playoffs. But of the competitions the Revolution will be involved in this season, the MLS Cup will take priority.
"We joke about it, because the Superliga [in July and August] will have more money," midfielder Shalrie Joseph said yesterday. "But our goal is to win the MLS Cup. We've been to the MLS Cup four times and we want to win it this year."
The Revolution began preseason training last week missing two starters (defender Avery John and forward Pat Noonan) from last year's MLS Cup, a 2-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo. But the Revolution will present a new look this season, starting on defense, as Chris Albright has been acquired from the Los Angeles Galaxy, and continuing up front, as the team seeks a strike partner for Taylor Twellman.
"We will be a different team, with some key additions," Joseph said. "But it's frustrating to lose guys like Pat, Avery, and Andy [Dorman]. Everyone knows we haven't won the ultimate game, but it was important to keep those guys. Pat was a key player and great in the locker room and it's disappointing to lose him. Those changes are going to hurt us. We have to find guys to replace them."
Albright played for the US national team from 1999 through the 2006 World Cup, and was injured (knee) last season.
"We've see [Albright] play all these years and knew he was a good player," Joseph said. "He expects to win championships, he's been in big games. He's like [goalkeeper] Matt Reis, he knows how to win trophies."
The Revolution have mostly been doing conditioning exercises at the ForeKicks indoor facility. Defender Michael Parkhurst and Twellman have been with the US national team preparing for last night's game against Mexico in Houston, Twellman returning to the Revolution before the game but missing practice yesterday with a groin strain.
The Revolution open the season against Houston March 29 and will also compete in the Champions League, Superliga, and US Open Cup. The Champions League has been expanded to emulate the European version, the winner qualifying for the multimillion-dollar World Club Cup, and the Superliga (MLS and Mexican League teams) offers more than $1 million in prize money.
Jozy Altidore made his first start for the US national team and scored a go-ahead goal late in the first half, but Jonny Magallon's second goal of the game gave Mexico a 2-2 tie before 70,103 fans in Houston. Oguchi Onyewu also scored for the Americans, who extended their home unbeaten streak against Mexico to 10 (8-0-2) while outscoring their neighbors, 17-3.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.
