Ralston back in groove

FOXBOROUGH - The setup worked like a 1-2 punch. Revolution striker Taylor Twellman gave up the ball to midfielder Steve Ralston waiting on the right. And Ralston fed it back to Twellman, where he finished the play with the first goal in the Revolution's 4-0 win against Chivas USA last night.

After the ball hit the net, Twellman rushed to Ralston to celebrate. Ralston had a goal and two assists in his first game back since exiting with back spasms against Joe Public FC in Trinidad Aug. 26.

Ralston then missed the next three games for the Revolution, who went 0-2-1.

"It was great to be back," Ralston said last night. "Watching is so difficult when you have an injury. You just want to participate and be a part of it."

Twellman, who scored his 97th career goal and assisted on Ralston's goal in the 92d minute, was happy to be reunited with Ralston.

"It's kind of hard to put it into words what he's like playing with, but you know you got to just give him the ball whenever he's open and get open and he'll find you," Twellman said. "He's a pleasure to play with. It was fun."

Forward Kenny Mansally, who missed the previous six games with an ankle sprain, entered in the 70th minute.

Seattle Mariner?

Seattle Sounders FC received permission from Revolution director of soccer Mike Burns to talk to assistant coach Paul Mariner about its head coaching position, a league source confirmed last night.

Mariner told the Arizona Republic recently he is interested in the position.

Sounders FC is an MLS expansion team set to play next season. Mariner also told the Arizona Republic he interviewed for the head job with the Chicago Fire earlier this year.

"If [becoming an MLS head coach] doesn't happen, I'll probably stay with [Steve Nicol], and then move on and work in Asia in media and coach," Mariner told the newspaper.

On the Sounders FC website, general manager Adrian Hanauer said the team expects to make a hire between the middle of October and the MLS Cup Nov. 23.

The Sounders signed Sanna Nyassi to an MLS contract. Sanna is the twin brother of the Revolution's Sainey Nyassi.

Flood honored

Defender Gary Flood is less than two years removed from his playing days at Hofstra, but he made such an impact, the Pride will retire his number.

Flood, who wore No. 5, started four seasons at center back for Hofstra (2003-06). His former teammate Michael Todd, and women's soccer player Sue Weber (2005-07) will also be honored this fall. With the Revolution in the midst of their season, Flood has not been able to pin down a date, but he expects the ceremony will be in the fall.

Flood was part of three Colonial Athletic Association championships (2004-06) and three consecutive berths in the NCAA Tournament.

Frank Dell'Apa of the Globe staff contributed to this report; Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com