Revolution attitude healthier

WASHINGTON -- D.C. United teams have often been characterized by an arrogance and swagger, developed while winning four MLS Cups. The Revolution appeared to be developing a similar aura of superiority before falling, 2-0, to United Saturday night, their first defeat in regulation time since Oct. 9.

The Revolution (7-1-4) were outplayed in the first half, and did not develop a sense of urgency until after halftime. By then, it was too late to salvage a chance to tie the MLS record for start-of-the-season unbeaten streak, though substitutes Andy Dorman and Connally Edozien, plus Steve Ralston, provided threats. The Revolution are off to their best start, but following a visit to Columbus Wednesday and a home match with the MetroStars Saturday, they will lose at least three players to the US national team.

The loss of Taylor Twellman (hamstring strain) was especially noticeable against United. D.C. (5-4-4) has solved many of its defensive problems and has held the Revolution to one goal in the last two confrontations, that one converted by Twellman in a home victory last month. United has more mobility on the back line since sending Mike Petke to Colorado and has created an effective dynamic with a strong attack.

But though the Revolution were outplayed, they remain in first place in the Eastern Conference and are regarding the defeat as a call to action.

This has been a major transformation for the Revolution, from a team expected to struggle through the regular season to one expecting to win nearly every time. The Revolution twice experienced nine-game losing streaks in the 1990s and set an MLS mark with six-match losing streak to open the 2001 season.

''It has been a good run, 11 games this year and 15 over two years when you go by FIFA rules, which regard games decided by penalties as ties," said Sunil Gulati, president of Kraft Soccer. ''We are pleased with how it has gone, but it is going to get harder now."

Dorman, James Riley, Khano Smith and, possibly, Edozien -- all projected as backups -- will be playing important roles in upcoming games.

''That is why we have reserve games," Gulati said. ''Plus, you would be hard-pressed to say that Dorman, Riley, and Avery John are not starters, since they have been in the lineup when people have been out."

Gulati said the Revolution have maintained the momentum they gathered toward the end of last season, and made key personnel moves by promoting goalkeeper Matt Reis over Adin Brown (who transferred to Aalesund in Norway) and replacing Carlos Llamosa and Joe-Max Moore with younger players.

''Those were some tough decisions and some big changes," Gulati said. ''Matt has been terrific in goal and [coach] Stevie [Nicol] had a lot of faith in Michael Parkhurst.

''But this [streak] didn't surprise me because this team did well in the playoffs. It was a better team last year than the regular-season record showed and was a foot away from the MLS Cup final. Everyone has injuries and call-ups, but the long-term injuries we had last year were extraordinary -- I have never seen anything like that in the MLS. The drastic change this year is that we are healthy."