Thompson in the right place
FOXBOROUGH - The Hunt and Kraft families have been driving forces in the development of Major League Soccer and the expansion of the NFL.
And fate has brought together symbols inspired by the late Lamar Hunt in the Krafts' administrative offices at Gillette Stadium. The US Open Cup trophy, named for Hunt and won last week by the Revolution, is in a case next to the Super Bowl trophies won by the Patriots. Hunt, a founder of the American Football League, played a leading role in its merger with the NFL and gave the Super Bowl its name.
Though the US Open Cup has a long history (the first final was played in 1914 in Pawtucket, R.I.), the Revolution are aiming to win the MLS Cup, the first of which was held in 1996 in Foxborough.
"To be honest, it was cool to win it," Revolution striker Taylor Twellman said yesterday. "But everyone here wants to win the [MLS Cup] more. Obviously, anyone can win it.
"This is crunch time and we need to clean things up and get after it."
The Revolution have clinched at least second place in the Eastern Conference and are using the final two games of the regular season - against the Hunt family's Columbus Crew tonight and at Toronto next Saturday - to prepare for the playoffs.
Instead of fine-tuning, though, the Revolution will be experimenting with a lineup change. Steve Ralston has moved into a playmaking role, with Wells Thompson taking his place on the right wing.
"He is the ultimate pro, no matter where he plays," Twellman said of Ralston. "He can do a lot of good things in the middle of the park. And he's happy being there. It's made him a couple years [younger] and added a little juice to his legs. If you need a goalkeeper, he can be a goalkeeper - you can put Stevie anywhere and he'll be just fine. He still has times when he can cross the ball but, obviously, we will miss his crosses from out wide."
The crosses are mostly expected to come from Khano Smith on the left wing and Thompson on the right.
"I am learning from Taylor and [Pat Noonan] to whip the ball in as soon as I get it," Thompson said. "I have to use my own discretion but if I can whip it in from 20 yards out, those guys can put it in the back of the net."
Thompson, who has started nine MLS games and three US Open Cup games, scored the clinching goal in the Open Cup final, a 3-2 win over FC Dallas, confirming the decision of coach Steve Nicol to make him the Revolution's top draft choice in January.
When asked what Thompson needs to improve on, Nicol said: "Decision-making and that comes with experience. Knowing when to lay off, when to take people on, getting in good position defensively. He has all the attributes to play there. He's been here long enough, watched enough games, listened to what we are preaching.
"Some get things quicker than others, some make the right decisions all the time. We make it simple for everybody. The more time you spend doing anything it makes it a bit easier."
Thompson has been playing on the wing since his days at Wake Forest, where he was converted from a midfield playmaking position.
"I wasn't too happy with it at first," Thompson said of changing positions. "But the more I played out there the better I fit the system. I've grown to love it. I like to run at the other team and wear them down."
Thompson could be matched with Argentine veteran Guillermo Barros Schelotto of Columbus.
"When it comes to guile, Schelotto has more experience," Nicol said. "But I have no problem putting Wells out there. When you have his pace, there is more space out wide in most games, and that can cause problems for the opposition.
"I'll put my money on Wells."
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.
