Dorman is moving up

FOXBOROUGH -- The Revolution found a place for Clint Dempsey soon after he joined the team for spring training in 2004. Dempsey left Furman University before graduating, making an ambitious launch into professional soccer as the Revolution's first-round draft choice.

Andy Dorman developed more gradually. Dorman, the third to last pick in the 2004 draft, elected to stay at Boston University through graduation, then joined the Revolution after the season had started.

Now, Dorman has claimed a regular place in the starting lineup. When the Revolution host the Chicago Fire Sunday, Dorman will take the role of Dempsey (suspended for two games) as an attacking midfielder in a 3-5-2 alignment.

``This is [Dorman's] best position," coach Steve Nicol said yesterday. ``His late runs are tremendous. It is just unfortunate for him that we have Clint and Clint gets the nod over him. [Dorman] is a different player than Clint but he can be as effective. The last time we played Chicago he was superb, he made great runs, and he took his chances."

Dorman converted the deciding goal in a 2-1 win over the Fire July 8 and final goal in the 94th minute of a 3-3 tie against Chicago June 11. Dorman has scored five goals, tied with Steve Ralston for second on the Revolution behind Taylor Twellman (nine) this season.

``It gives me a chance to attack," Dorman said of his role. ``When you have two players like Shalrie Joseph and Jeff Larentowicz or Danny Hernandez behind you, you can go forward.

``I am not fussy about where I play. I have been playing on the right side of midfield and that was growing on me, but this is the position I played before college and in college, and it is the position I like best."

Despite the Revolution's attacking tactics, the team has struggled offensively this season. The Revolution have not scored more than one goal in their last seven overall matches, and in four of those games were held scoreless until at least the 90th minute. But the Revolution (6-6-10, 28 points) have been resourceful enough to remain in second place in the Eastern Conference.

``That is part of football," Dorman said. ``You go through barren spells. But it is a good sign that we are creating chances and now we just have to put the ball in the back of the net. That would change those 10 draws into wins and put us in a good position.

``We are getting chances and as soon as we get one or two goals we will start getting a lot more."

Dempsey (foot bruise) trained briefly yesterday. He is suspended for Sunday's match and the Aug. 27 game against Columbus, but is eligible for the team's US Open Cup visit to Chicago Wednesday . . . Nicol said Larentowicz will move into a defensive midfield starting role . . . Hernandez (ankle) is training this week for the first time in three months. ``The doctors can't figure [the injury] out," he said. ``At first they thought it was a sprain, then a bone bruise. It is still swollen and I won't know until the end of the week how it is. I am going to see another doctor and I might still need surgery."