This team off to Revolutionary start

Since their first season in 1996, the Revolution have been hampered by preseason logistical difficulties. Early season scheduling also has worked against the Revolution, climate considerations causing them to play most of their games away from home in March and April.

This year, the Revolution have spent much of their training time either outside the country or indoors, but they have been able to overcome hardships to finish the first month of the season unbeaten for the first time.

The Revolution's 1-0 win over Chivas USA Saturday night improved their record to 4-0-1, best in the league. This is the first time the Revolution have totaled the most points (13) in the league at this stage of the season.

But the Revolution could also use some rest and recuperation time before meeting Chicago next Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. They won three successive games over an eight-day period with five starters missing at least one of those matches because of illness or injury.

The Revolution's change in fortunes is leading to an alteration in identity. Opposing teams will strongly consider tactical changes to counteract New England's dominating five-man midfield. Chivas USA used five defenders in the starting lineup and blocked the Revolution's attack through the middle of the field. The Revolution were forced to probe the defense along the flanks and, eventually, scored as Marshall Leonard was isolated on the left side and crossed for Clint Dempsey in the 88th minute.

Chicago also likely will alter the tactics it used in a 3-0 loss to the Revolution last Wednesday. The Fire entered that match tied for first place with the Revolution in the Eastern Conference and recovered for a 2-0 victory over Columbus Saturday.

The Revolution's dominance over the Fire is a measure of their emergence this season. Though there is no precedent for its early season success, goalkeeper Matt Reis said the team compares favorably to Los Angeles Galaxy teams he played on.

"If you look at our roster, we have quality players all up and down the roster," Reis said. "We always had that in LA. We had two solid teams we could put out on the field. You are going to have times when there are injuries and sickness and you have to have guys who can step in.

"We have a good mix of young and old players and the young players have stepped in and done what they needed to do. The coaches have a great eye for young talent."

The Revolution, like those Galaxy teams, are discovering the advantages of a potent offense. They were averaging three goals per game before confronting Chivas's stonewalling, and that firepower has kept the pressure off the defense.

Revolution center back Michael Parkhurst is in his first professional season and the team has used three left backs. But the Revolution have outscored the opposition, 13-3, since the first half of their season-opener, a 2-2 tie in San Jose. New England has compiled scoreless streaks of 204 and 189 minutes and has given up only two goals in the run of play.

"If we keep playing the way we are playing and not conceding any goals, we will be all right," Reis said. . . .
Marco Paulo Couto, a 30-year-old defender who played for Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal's Superliga last season, is expected to arrive for the Revolution's practice match at Harvard University today.