Howey to reinforce Revolution
Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference teams are attempting to redefine or rejuvenate themselves for late-season playoff runs.
Argentine midfielder Christian Gomez joined D.C. United for a 2-2 tie at Columbus Saturday night. Chicago added Haitian midfielder Alexandre Boucicaut, who made his debut as a substitute in a 1-1 tie at Los Angeles Saturday night. The Fire are considering signing Honduran defender Jorge Caballero and Dutch striker Clyde Wijnhard. The Crew are hoping to add US national team defender Tony Sanneh. And the Revolution expect defender Steve Howey to join the team this week and be available for Saturday's match against United.
The Revolution require some regenerating after a 2-1 loss to Kansas City Saturday. Coach Steve Nicol expressed frustration after the match and it was among the few times he has criticized the players' commitment.
Howey, 32, has played 282 games and scored 17 goals in the Premier League, with Newcastle United, Manchester City, Leicester City, and Bolton Wanderers. At the peak of his career, Howey performed for England's national team (four times in 1996) and was sold for about $3.65 million to Manchester City in November 2000.
Howey is clearly Nicol's type of player and, if he can earn the confidence of his new teammates, could be an inspiration for the final weeks of the regular season. Howey's international career was ended by injury, and his club career was stymied when he ruptured an Achilles' tendon in an FA Cup semifinal in 1999. Howey recovered to become a regular at Manchester City, but lost his starting position, rejected reserve team duty, and was transferred to Leicester City in 2003.
The Revolution have been able to reinvent themselves in the late season, but this is the first time in three years they will attempt to do so without Carlos Llamosa in central defense. Howey is expected to become the seventh player to start in central defense for the Revolution this season, a domino effect started after Llamosa sustained a knee injury in the preseason.
Avery John, who has started 15 games since joining the Revolution in May, could move to left fullback, bringing more experience and passing skills to the position than current starter Marshall Leonard.
The Revolution appeared discouraged after falling to the Wizards, but the result was an indication of the superiority of Western Conference teams. Kansas City and Los Angeles are tied for first in the overall MLS standings, and defending MLS Cup champion San Jose remains the favorite to win the championship.
The Revolution escaped last place last week, for the first time since early May, and are tied with Chicago for the final playoff spot with eight matches remaining. The Revolution will play five of those games at home and will play five times against conference opponents. The deciding confrontations could be against the Fire in Chicago Sept. 25 and at Gillette Stadium in the regular-season finale Oct. 16.
