Rest is what they ordered

Revolution feeling refreshed, eager

FOXBOROUGH - The last competitive match for the Revolution was more than a week ago. The Major League Soccer All-Star break came just in time for the team to pause from its crowded schedule and nurse a few key players back to health.

Before the break, the Revolution had a 1-1 tie against Chivas USA July 20, which advanced them into tonight's SuperLiga semifinal against Atlante FC at Gillette Stadium.

Injuries forced Revolution coach Steve Nicol to make numerous adjustments in the games leading up to the break. But a few days of rest and time away from soccer proved helpful.

Midfielder Mauricio Castro (groin strain) and forward Taylor Twellman (hip flexor) were more involved in practices this week. Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz sat out against Pachuca July 16 because of a contusion in his quadriceps. Although he made appearances on behalf of MLS during All-Star week, being off the field was a nice break.

"Usually, when you come back, it's surprising how refreshed you are and how much better you play," Larentowicz said. "The mind is a lot more rested and you're able to make better decisions."

Since Larentowicz joined the Revolution in 2005, he said he could not remember a time when the team had such a long break in the middle of the season.

"It was probably the first time in a long time that we actually had the days off," he said. "I think a lot of guys took advantage of it and got their rest. It was a hot week, so I don't think anyone was missing practice."

Defender Chris Albright agreed the time away was not only for resting the body, but the mind.

"It's good to get away from the game, visit friends or family, and do whatever you want to do to relax," Albright said. "We're kind of here every day doing this thing, and it's nice to get that amount of time. It's kind of unique in a season to get a nice long break like that."

Everyone wasn't free from soccer, however. Goalkeeper Matt Reis and midfielders Shalrie Joseph and Steve Ralston joined Nicol on the MLS All-Star team, which defeated West Ham United, 3-2, in Toronto Thursday.

Tonight the Revolution will see how much the break has helped. They play Atlante, a team they faced in a friendly in Mexico in March. The match turned physical, and Larentowicz and Albright were among the ejected players. But both said they expect a different approach tonight.

"It was a friendly, so there really wasn't much on the line and guys on our team were in the preseason and trying to win spots and the guys on their team were trying to protect themselves and each other," Larentowicz said.

Said Albright, "They substituted, 10 new guys in at halftime, I think, in that game. Atlante played two separate teams. You're playing against guys that know they're only out there for 45 minutes and they can go crazy for 45 minutes."

Albright said the Revolution may have made two or three substitutions as players were trying to get in shape. But he is expecting a technical game similar to what was presented by Santos Laguna and Pachuca earlier in the tournament.

The Revolution also will have to work around the absence of defender Michael Parkhurst, who is with the US Olympic team.

"Missing Michael is huge," Larentowicz said. "We haven't been without him for four years. He's an All-Star, Rookie of the Year, and everything that goes with it."

Albright said he and his teammates are prepared to return to competition and are anticipating a good match.

"Hopefully, we can win this thing and keep making our push toward the end of the MLS season," Albright said.

Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com