Revolution a united crew

When Clint Dempsey was sold to Fulham FC, the Revolution lost one of their most accomplished players ever. Without Dempsey's skills, the Revolution have had to rely more on central midfielders Andy Dorman and Shalrie Joseph to set up the attack.

"Management did a great job in the offseason, we lost only [Dempsey]," Revolution defender Jay Heaps said Tuesday while preparing for tonight's game at Columbus. "He did a lot but we have had to become more of a team without him. We don't have one individual dribbling through four or five guys, so we have to work together to create.

"Dorman has gotten to play his style, attacking as a penetrator instead of defending in midfield. It's opened things up for Taylor Twellman, Pat Noonan, Adam Cristman. We have to get the ball wide. We have Steve Ralston and Khano Smith who can beat three guys and get the ball into the [penalty area]. We are all on the same page."

Dempsey's versatility allowed him to also perform as a forward. Cristman and Dorman have taken on Dempsey's roles, and both played major parts in a 4-0 win over Toronto FC last Saturday, Cristman earning a penalty kick and Dorman scoring the fourth goal. Noonan could return to a starting striker role by the time the Revolution visit Dallas April 29, but Cristman has gained experience, leading the team in scoring in the preseason and starting in a 1-0 loss at Chicago and against Toronto.

The Revolution have re-signed most of their key players, and negotiations are continuing to extend Joseph's contract. Twellman is the only Revolution player among Major League Soccer's highest-paid performers, and Joseph will be in that group should he sign.

"We've had the same group of guys and we've done well without paying anyone tons of money," Heaps said. "Shalrie's situation is out of our hands, as players. If one of us is upset or angry over a contract, it's out of our control."

Heaps is the Revolution's all-time leader in games with 182, including playoffs, six more than Joe Franchino, who has taken a leave of absence. The Revolution will also be without Daniel Hernandez (groin) and Michael Parkhurst (shoulder) tonight.

The Revolution defense has seldom been under pressure this season and has a 176-minute shutout streak. The Revolution have a 6-1-1 regular-season record since a 3-0 loss at Columbus Sept. 2.

"We'll go in [to Columbus] and play the way we've been playing," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "We'll get forward when we can. But defensively, when we don't have the ball, we will have to be more solid because [home] teams will be aggressive. But when we get the ball, we want to play."

This will be the second of ESPN2's weekly Thursday night broadcasts, intended to showcase MLS teams. The Revolution will have three more Thursday matches -- at D.C. United (May 3), against Kansas City (Aug. 2), and at Colorado (Aug. 16).

Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.