The Revolution roster is in transition. The extent of the change was evident in the first preseason game, a 6-1 win over Bermuda's national team in Hamilton Saturday night. Of the four goal-scorers, only Adam Cristman had previously converted for the Revolution; of the other three - Amaechi Igwe, Kenny Mansally, and Spencer Wadsworth - only Igwe was with the team a year ago.
Revolution coach Steve Nicol insists there is nothing radical about the modifications, noting that nine starters are returning from last year's MLS Cup squad. But there is a feeling that the Revolution want to erase the residual negative effects of three successful MLS Cup defeats, and a good way of doing that is by refreshing the squad with youngsters.
Andy Dorman, Avery John, and Pat Noonan were lost without compensation, decisions that remain questionable. But the addition of Chris Albright, acquired from the Los Angeles Galaxy, and others could boost the team's fortunes.
There will be more speed, or at least youthful exuberance, with Mansally (who saw 14 minutes of action at Chicago Oct. 6) and newcomer Wadsworth, plus second-year players Cristman, Sainey Nyassi, and Wells Thompson. The left side could be refreshed with defender Javi Delgado, 27, who has Spanish and Swiss citizenship, and Honduran midfielder Mauricio "Pipo" Castro, 26. And the Revolution are hoping to bring in other Central Americans such as Costa Rican defender Gabriel Badilla, 22, and forward Argenis Fernandez, 20.
Even if the newcomers do not become regular starters, they will be needed for the Revolution's bulked-up schedule; the team will be entered in three tournaments (Champions League, Superliga, and US Open Cup) outside of MLS competition and could play as many as 45 games from their March 29 opener through November.
Cristman and Wadsworth started at forward against Bermuda while Taylor Twellman remained in Boston recovering from a groin strain. Wadsworth scored in the ninth minute, then was injured in a collision with the Bermuda goalkeeper. Mansally then scored three goals in 55 minutes of playing time. Khano Smith, who captained the Revolution, set up Wadsworth's goal and Mansally's first goal, then departed at halftime.
"The one thing you know you are going to get from [Wadsworth] is that he works hard," Nicol said by telephone from Bermuda. "He made a good run and scored a good goal. It was a textbook move, as were some of the other goals."
This was the Revolution's first game since the MLS Cup, a 2-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo. And it was the first time Revolution forwards other than Twellman had converted for the team since the Oct. 3 US Open Cup final. Though Dorman and Noonan were the Revolution's second-leading scorers last year, they lost their scoring touch late in the season.
"Obviously, Taylor is going to play, and we have three young guys competing for the other place," Nicol said. "They have speed, they can get about, and the one thing they lack is a wee bit of experience. But [speed] is not what springs to mind, to be honest. It's great to have speed but I am more interested in if they can keep the ball; if you do that, nobody can hurt you."
The Revolution lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with a back line of Albright, Jay Heaps, Michael Parkhurst, and Delgado; midfielders Steve Ralston, Shalrie Joseph, Jeff Larentowicz, and Smith; and forwards Cristman and Wadsworth. Joe Franchino entered as a second-half substitute at left back, his first appearance since lower leg surgery early last season. But the team could return to a 3-5-2.
"We always start the preseason in a 4-4-2," Nicol said. "It's unfair on the wide guys to have them going 60-70 yards up and down the field this time of the season."
Castro is expected to challenge Smith for a starting spot on the left wing.
"Competition for spots, that's why he is coming in," Nicol said. "We are looking for people with ability and we are going to bring them in, wherever they are coming from. There is nothing better for the players than to see other good players come into the squad."
The Revolution will meet Bermuda again tomorrow. The highlight of the preseason will be successive games against the reigning champions of Mexico (Atlante) in Cancun March 5 and CD Marathon, the champion of Honduras, in New Orleans March 14 . . . Smith's performance was encouraging for Bermuda, since he could rejoin the national team for a World Cup qualifier at the Cayman Islands March 26. Smith was recovering from hernia surgery as Bermuda tied the Caymans, 1-1, in the first leg. Joseph, meanwhile, said he could join Grenada for the home leg qualifier against the US Virgin Islands March 26.
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at fdellapa@globe.com
