Dorman frustrated by new role
FOXBOROUGH - The recent changes in the Revolution's starting lineup have improved the team's possession game. But they have failed to win since Oct. 3, raising questions about the benching of midfielder Andy Dorman.
During the first half of the season, Dorman was among Major League Soccer's most dynamic players, scoring seven goals in 15 games. But Dorman's performance soon declined, and opposing teams seem to have solved the Revolution's five-man midfield, leading to the modifications - Steve Ralston moving to Dorman's spot and Wells Thompson starting on the right wing. Dorman's starting streak ended at 61 games over two seasons after the Revolution won the US Open Cup, and he will be on the bench for the fifth successive time when the team's playoff campaign continues tomorrow night against the New York Red Bulls.
"That stretch during the middle of the season damaged [Dorman] physically more than anybody," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "We played eight games in [less than a month in late July and August]. His forte is making late runs in the [penalty area] and running in behind the defense. And that is a very difficult thing to do with a schedule like that.
"Once we settled down again with the schedule, it just wasn't happening, so we made a change. But that would not have been possible without [Ralston], and also Wells beginning to really understand his role and to be more consistent."
Dorman, who last scored in a 2-1 win over Harrisburg in a US Open Cup match Aug. 8, has been a late substitute in central midfield and on the right wing.
"I am frustrated not to be playing. If I told you anything different, I'd be lying," Dorman said. "I agree I haven't been scoring goals. I've always thought of myself as a two-way midfielder and I thought my defensive work for the team has been fine. I am back on the bench but I think I've proven myself over the last three years. It's the playoffs now and I'd like to be playing, helping the team win."
Dorman's contract concludes after this season and he could move to Europe (he has British citizenship). Teams in Great Britain and MLS have expressed interest in Dorman, according to his agent, David-Ross Williamson.
"There is interest over there and I'll take a closer look at it once we finish out the season," Dorman said. "But I want to wait until then - hopefully after we win the MLS Cup."
The Revolution midfield dynamic has changed, Ralston improving the team's creativity. But the team has an 0-2-2 record in the last four games.
"We tend not to look at results," Nicol said. "We look at what is benefiting us. It's a strange game and you can play fantastic and lose, or play like crap and win. What's on paper doesn't always tell the truth. If a move is benefiting us, we know we will get the benefit, eventually."
The Revolution scored first in seven successive games, then played conservatively in a 0-0 tie at New York last Saturday, the opener of a two-game, total-goals series. They have not surrendered the first goal in a game since Sept. 9 (a 4-2 loss at D.C. United).
Nicol has managed expectations for Thompson, the team's first selection in the draft this year. Thompson has scored twice, including the third goal in a 3-2 win over FC Dallas in the US Open Cup final, the team's first tournament championship.
"The more games I play, the more confident I get, and the more I know what I am capable of," Thompson said. "My fitness is better now and I've learned from my mistakes. I am more of an offensive player but, defense-wise, I also have to concentrate on getting back. Looking at the last game, I could have stretched the [Red Bulls'] defense a little more. I saw opportunities where I could have gotten forward."
Nicol's first-round draft picks have finished second in rookie of the year voting in 2003 (Pat Noonan) and won the award in '04 (Clint Dempsey) and '05 (Michael Parkhurst). Forward Adam Cristman is among the three finalists for the award this year, and Thompson is now emerging.
"He competes and he has pace and he likes to go at players," Nicol said of Thompson. "He has quick feet and he is understanding his role better. He has a lot of tools and hasn't even used a lot of the tools in his toolbox yet."
Noonan (right leg) did not participate in the final full-field scrimmage drill yesterday.
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.
