Now, rest is history

FOXBOROUGH -- While five of his Revolution teammates played in last Saturday's MLS All-Star Game against FC Fulham, Steve Ralston went to the beach. Coach Steve Nicol, in his own words, thought about nothing other than sitting on his backside for several days.

Clearly, the five-day break came at the right time for the weary team.

''A lot of guys needed it," said Ralston.

Including himself. On July 21, the midfielder sustained a concussion while playing for the US national team in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Honduras. Ralston, who was knocked out of the Gold Cup final against Panama, did not play in New England's 1-1 tie with the Los Angeles Galaxy last Wednesday and will not dress tonight when the Revolution (10-3-6) resume play against the Chicago Fire (11-7-3).

But instead of competing against each other in a league game, the clubs will square off at Ludlow's Lusitano Stadium in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The national tournament, which started in June with 42 clubs, brings together the 12 MLS teams as well as other pro and amateur squads from around the country. The Revolution are 5-5 all-time in the US Open Cup, losing to the Rochester Rhinos last year on penalty kicks. With a win tonight, the Revolution would advance to an Aug. 24 quarterfinal match.

While tonight's game allows New England to ease back into playing form (its next league game is Saturday against the Kansas City Wizards), the match presents the Revolution with several options. They are tied with Chicago for the Eastern Conference lead (36 points each) and could score a significant psychological victory with a strong showing against a club they have defeated twice this season.

But they also must save their legs for league games. They face the prospect of losing several players as the national team prepares for its Aug. 17 World Cup qualifier in East Hartford against Trinidad & Tobago.

Ralston, Clint Dempsey, Matt Reis, and Pat Noonan were with the team during the Gold Cup, and Nicol does not know whom US coach Bruce Arena will call for the next match.

Defender Avery John played for Trinidad during its recent international competition.

''We want to win the game, but we don't want to win the game at the expense of losing players," Nicol said. ''But once the game kicks off, it's a different ballgame. The theory of watching what you're doing goes out the window."

While Ralston said he felt fine yesterday, he has not been heading the ball. He said he should be ready for Saturday's game against Kansas City.

Noonan (sprained right ankle) also was injured in the win over Honduras. Noonan practiced with the team yesterday but is not expected to play tonight, either.