Nicol fosters free spirit

Free kicks rarely have played a part in Revolution success in recent seasons. And the team lost some of its best specialists -- Jose Cancela (Colorado), Joe Franchino (injury), and Daniel Hernandez (Puebla) -- after last season.

But the Revolution could be rediscovering their free kick skill. Steve Ralston curled in a shot in a 4-2 win over the Rochester Rhinos in a US Open Cup match July 10 and Jeff Larentowicz converted the deciding goal in a 2-1 victory at Real Salt Lake Saturday night.

Ralston takes the team's corners and often tries to find targets to finish free kicks from distance. After Pat Noonan was fouled by Real Salt Lake's Carey Talley just outside the penalty arc, Larentowicz and Ralston lined up behind the ball. Ralston was expected to shoot, but Larentowicz slammed the ball past the left side of the wall and by goalkeeper Nick Rimando's right hand in the 82d minute.

"We've been encouraging Jeff to take more shots on goal," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said yesterday. "He has always had a strong shot and we're encouraging him to take it. It was one of those things where you've got a free kick and he said I fancy taking it. He took responsibility. It's something he's got and we want to see more of it."

The Revolution, who play host to Kansas City Thursday, took the lead on Noonan's 39th-minute goal, the play set up by a Larentowicz centering pass headed down by Taylor Twellman. They seemed on the verge of pulling away midway through the second half as substitute Khano Smith volleyed off the post in the 65th minute and Real's Andy Williams was red-carded in the 67th.

But Real Salt Lake, despite playing a man short and with midfielder Freddy Adu on the way to Portugal for a probable signing with Benfica, rallied to tie the score as Kyle Beckerman earned a penalty kick. Talley converted the penalty in the 72d minute.

"To be honest, it was the only [defensive] mistake we made all evening," Nicol said. "Defensively, we never gave them anything. What led up to their goal was a missed tackle, but we still got the ball. One passage of play was messed up and we paid dearly for it. It was definitely a penalty. We felt we were in control of the game, then it was level, 1-1, and they put some pressure on us. But we had a man advantage and we were able to consolidate pretty quickly. We didn't panic, we kept our heads, and when we got a chance we took it."

The Revolution (8-3-6, 30 points) lead the Eastern Conference and improved their league-best road record to 5-2-2. The Revolution have earned 13 points in eight home matches (3-1-4).

"It would have been an injustice had we lost," Nicol said of the Real match. "We were the better team. For me, it was typical of what has happened to us at home. We make mistakes and every time we make one we seem to get punished for it."

Jamie Watson scored twice as Real Salt Lake edged the Revolution, 3-2, in a reserve league game in Park City, Utah, yesterday. Adam Cristman (27th minute) and Kyle Helton (93d) scored for the Revolution.

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