Cristman, Riley will get a look

Revolution coach Steve Nicol is shifting into an improvisational gear as the team prepares for preseason matches in Mexico this week. Forward Pat Noonan (groin) and defender Michael Parkhurst (separated shoulder) are returning to Boston for treatment and will be replaced in the lineup by first-year professional Adam Cristman and James Riley.

Cristman has been among the training camp surprises, arriving after leading the US Olympic team in scoring during matches in Japan last month. Cristman's presence near the goal and scoring instincts have impressed Nicol, who has frequently hit the jackpot in the MLS draft .

Asked why he thought Cristman, a Washington, D.C., native who played at the University of Virginia, was available in the fourth round of this year's draft, Nicol said: "I have no idea. He's certainly better than we thought. He's done great in training. We've had a couple 11 versus 11 games and he's scored goals. He works his socks off and he's done well."

First-round picks Wells Thompson, a left-side midfielder, and Amaeche Igwe, a right back, also figure into the Revolution plans this season. But barring injuries to veterans, none of the rookies is likely to be a starter when the Revolution open the season at Chicago April 7 .

Riley has been a Revolution regular for two seasons as an outside back and midfielder, but will be making his central defense debut in a 3-5-2 formation against AC Inter Playa del Carmen in an exhibition game tonight.

"We could go to a [4-4-2] but we prefer not to," Nicol said. "We'll see how Jimmy does and, if all goes well, great. This is the time of year when there is not a great deal at stake and we can find out some things. He's played center back for us [in a four-back lineup], so he is not in unfamiliar territory. The two seasons he's been here he's grown and matured. He has had a great preseason, he looks strong, quick, his passing has been good and he's on top of his game. Obviously, we are confident he can do the job. He looks after himself. As you become more confident you feel you can take on anything."

Riley has performed alongside Parkhurst, who has set standards at the center back position, since they were teammates at Wake Forest .

Daniel Hernandez replaced an injured Parkhurst as the Revolution switched to a 4-4-2 for preseason games last year. Hernandez (groin) is out and Nicol, rather than move outside backs Jay Heaps or Avery John to the central positions, is staying with the three-back alignment, indicating he has confidence in the back line and also in the Revolution's abundance of midfielders. The Revolution lost Jose Cancela (Toronto FC) in the expansion draft and Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC) to an MLS-record $4 million transfer, but replacements Bryan Byrne, Ryan Solle, and Thompson have been impressive.

"The biggest thing I can say about them is we would have no problems in playing them, put it that way," Nicol said. "At the present time, we are not saying, 'This guy has to be playing.' But if we do get a couple injuries and some of them have to play we won't be overly worried. The only thing they lack is experience and the only way you get experience is by playing. If they play it's going to benefit them, and it's going to benefit us, in the long run."

Last year, Noonan sustained a series of injuries while performing for the US national team, costing him a trip to the World Cup and also limiting his effectiveness during the MLS regular season. Noonan recovered and performed well in the playoffs but again was injured during US training camp in January.

Parkhurst played every minute of every game in 2005, missed the opening two games of '06, but returned to play every minute of 36 successive games, including cup and playoff matches .

"We don't really know exactly the extent [of the injuries]," Nicol said of Noonan and Parkhurst. "But they are problems that can be solved. It's not a situation of these being long-term; we are pretty confident they will be sorted out pretty soon. But they are two important players for us and we would rather have them playing and at 100 percent."