Working on it just for kicks
FOXBOROUGH -- The Revolution have been practicing penalty kicks this week in preparation for their third successive appearance in a one-game Eastern Conference final, against the Chicago Fire at 3 p.m. tomorrow.
''We would rather win in regulation time, that is our goal," forward Taylor Twellman said yesterday. ''This [penalty kick practice] is more about doing it just to do it."
D.C. United eliminated the Revolution on penalties after playing to a 3-3 tie in the conference final last year in Washington. The Revolution also lost a US Open Cup game to Rochester on penalties last year.
''Penalties are part of the game," coach Steve Nicol said. ''Taking penalties is an art and the team that wins has the better guys taking them. A huge part is mental. When it comes down to penalties it means there is nothing between the teams and it would be wrong to keep playing and playing and playing. But taking penalties when it counts is a different ballgame."
We have a winner?
James Riley appears to be the favorite to start on the left wing for the Revolution, who lost Marshall Leonard (left hamstring) and Khano Smith (left knee bruise) during a 3-1 win over the MetroStars last Saturday. Riley has performed briefly at the position, and also on the right wing and at left and right back for the Revolution.''In college [Wake Forest University] I played on the right and left, center midfield, everywhere except up top and goalkeeper," Riley said. ''I will play wherever I can contribute to the team. With the type of guys around me, it is easy to fit in."
Extra credit work
Jose ''Pepe" Cancela provided decisive offensive plays as a substitute in the Revolution's win over the MetroStars. On Tuesday, Cancela returned to the practice field, training with the reserves while most of the starters took the day off.''It is normal for whoever did not play more than 30 minutes," Cancela said, of joining the reserves' practice session.
Cancela replaced Daniel Hernandez in the 61st minute and the Revolution produced three goals from the 68th through 83d minutes in overcoming a two-goal deficit in the total-goal series with the MetroStars.
