They know the score

The Revolution developed an effective midfield pairing with Jose Cancela and Shalrie Joseph, supported by the wing play of Brian Kamler and Steve Ralston. The strikers benefited. Almost no matter who lined up at forward, they were certain to be set up for scoring chances.

This made the Revolution less dependent on Taylor Twellman, who was seldom at full strength this year. A broken foot suffered Oct. 4 will keep Twellman out for the playoffs, which start Saturday against the MetroStars at Giants Stadium. Twellman tied Los Angeles's Carlos Ruiz for the league lead with 15 goals, but played just 22 games, four fewer than Ruiz.

Pat Noonan, a rival and teammate of Twellman growing up in St. Louis, scored three times against the MetroStars, increasing his total to 10 goals. Joe-Max Moore, limited to 16 games because of injuries, scored four times.

The Revolution made a key move in August, sending Wolde Harris and Jorge Vazquez to Kansas City for Chris Brown and Dario Fabbro. Vazquez became expendable after Cancela arrived in July, and Brown and Fabbro combined to surpass Harris's goal production.

Harris never regained his scoring touch after a 16-goal initial season with the Revolution in 2000, finishing with two scores this season before departing. Brown scored three goals in his only start, then broke his left foot. Fabbro added two goals and has quickly fit into the team's style of play.

Nearly all those goals were necessary, since the Revolution surrendered 47 goals, the fewest they've ever allowed but more than any team other than Dallas this season. The Revolution were in last place in the Eastern Conference until Sept. 28, but finished second after a stretch-run rally -- the Revolution went 6-0-1 with a 17-7 goal differential to conclude the regular season.

Though the Revolution produced offensive highlights against the MetroStars -- including a counterattack launched by a Cancela bicycle kick that led to a Noonan goal -- they also left openings and the MetroStars twice hit the post.

"We did give up two goals and they had a lot of possession, so we need to take something from that," Joseph said. "There will be less space next week and the intensity will be up another notch."

The Revolution's success mirrors last season, when they concluded with a 5-0-1 stretch. But this version of the Revolution is different, with several newcomers, led by Noonan, playing important roles. "There was a long stretch this year where we weren't finishing opportunities and we weren't putting teams away," Noonan said. "The wins we have been getting down the stretch have given us confidence.". . .

Defender Jay Heaps (groin strain) and Moore (left knee sprain) are expected to return for the playoff opener . . . The Revolution and MetroStars set an MLS record Saturday, scoring seven goals in 28 minutes. The previous record was set in 1996, when seven goals were scored in 30 minutes in a game between Columbus and Kansas City . . . The Revolution earned 45 points in 30 games (1.5 points per game), tying the 2000 team's record in 32 games (1.41 points per game).