Revolution feeling young, vibrant
Though the Revolution have been among the most successful teams in Major League Soccer in recent years, the roster has several players who would not likely be in the plans of other teams.
Jeff Larentowicz is among those players; he was a late pick in the supplemental draft and performed for a total of one minute in 2005. But Larentowicz became a starting midfielder midway through the '06 season and, though expected to provide low-key defensive support, also has contributed deciding goals.
The latest Larentowicz score was a free kick that gave the Revolution a 1-1 tie with the New York Red Bulls Saturday. Larentowicz has gained a reputation for the velocity of his dead ball shots - he powered a free kick from a similar spot for the winner in a 2-1 triumph at Real Salt Lake last year - but this time he finessed a low roller around an eight-man wall in the 56th minute, 10 minutes after the ejection of the Revolution's Mauricio Castro.
"Jeff is somebody who is very underrated by everyone other than everyone who is involved with us," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said yesterday.
The Revolution visit FC Dallas Thursday, and will be in a similar position to when Larentowicz, 24, who played as a central defender at Brown University, found his niche with the team two years ago.
"We went down, 4-nil at halftime," Nicol recalled of a May 20, 2006, visit to Pizza Hut Park. "He hadn't really played in the middle of the park, he had played centrally in back and wide on the right. But we needed to shut this down before we really embarrassed ourselves, so we brought Jeff on and blocked the middle of the field. He never gave the ball away, he picked up great spots, he made his challenges.
"Now, all of a sudden we had another guy. We had an injury and he was in the lineup. It's all about progression. The biggest thing for the young guys is getting them a chance with the first team. That's how they learn."
The Revolution have used three 19-year-olds (Amaechi Igwe, Kenny Mansally, Sainey Nyassi) in the starting lineup in the last three games, the first time three teenagers have been starters in successive MLS games since the MetroStars did it in 2005.
Forward Adam Cristman, a fourth-round draft choice, and Gary Flood, a supplemental pick, could be in the lineup against FC Dallas. Both were on the developmental roster at the start of last season. Another starter is left wing Khano Smith, who went through the US system but was teaching and playing in Bermuda's semi-professional league when the Revolution signed him in '05.
Flood, 22, displayed his composure in starting in the Revolution's '07 season opener as Shalrie Joseph was injured, then filled in after Larentowicz was ejected in the seventh minute of a 4-0 loss at Chicago April 3 and when Larentowicz was suspended for a 3-1 win over Kansas City six days later.
Igwe has increased his assertiveness at left back while filling in for Chris Albright (ankle bruise).
"Playing where he is playing, we are looking for him to defend and be solid," Nicol said of Igwe. Nicol said the Revolution lineup will not be determined until after today. Castro, who replaced Steve Ralston (dislocated shoulder), is suspended, leaving the midfield playmaking position open. "We'll get a body count first, then see who plays," Nicol said. "We have a lot of bumps and bruises."
Nicol said the Revolution forwards have been absorbing an abnormal amount of physical contact.
"It will always be a physical game, that's part of the game and we don't have a problem with the physical part," Nicol said. "It's the calls that are going one way and not the other I have a problem with. But we'll stand up to whatever the other team wants to fling at us."
If Flood is in the lineup against FC Dallas, the average age of the Revolution's starters will be 23.6.
"You just don't know what's going to happen in football," Nicol said. "Sometimes players come through, sometimes you don't have any players, there are injuries, suspensions. There are all kinds of things that make you do what you do. Sometimes you don't have a choice.
"But when you are in a situation where the young guys have to play, it just makes you stronger as a team."
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.
