Revolution played their cards right
FOXBOROUGH - The most successful soccer teams present a combination of finesse and physicality and are able to adjust when either quality is required.
Steve Nicol solidified the team's fighting spirit when he took over as Revolution coach in 2002, and in recent years he has concentrated on the skillful soul of soccer. Nicol might have found the right balance as the Revolution prepare to meet Houston in Washington, D.C., Sunday in a rematch of last year's MLS Cup.
"You always have to win the physical battle first, before you can play," Nicol said yesterday. "No team is going to let you go on the field and just start passing the ball around. You have to win that right, first."
The Revolution found a successful combination of playing tough and being tactically and technically sound, evidenced by the team's low number of cautions and ejections.
"I can't remember a season where we haven't lost anyone to [accumulation of yellow cards] suspension, which I think is incredible," Nicol said. "It's because of discipline, it's down to players being disciplined and level-headed, and all the other things. Especially in today's game, where yellow cards are given out for nothing. We were able to still play hard. We haven't had a game where we haven't played hard."
Only midfielder Shalrie Joseph was red-carded this year for the Revolution, and that decision was highly questionable in a 1-1 tie May 3 at D.C. United. Nicol was ejected in the second half of 4-2 loss Sept. 9 at D.C. United after disputing a non-call on a play that led to the deciding goal.
"We've played smart and we didn't have to take tactical yellow cards," Revolution defender Jay Heaps said. "You can play smart and still get cards, too. But I think the referees have been a little smarter this year and I applaud them for that."
Central defender Michael Parkhurst sets the tone for the Revolution style. Parkhurst, who won the MLS Fair Play Award, has committed three fouls in 11 playoff games over three years.
Some Revolution players questioned the decision that allowed Houston's Nate Jaqua to escape an ejection after a clash with Kansas City's Jack Jewsbury in the Dynamo's 2-0 win in the Western Conference championship game Saturday.
"After what happened with Shalrie last year," Heaps said of Joseph's one-game playoff suspension against Chicago, "Jaqua shouldn't be playing in the final. That was not just an elbow, he followed through with it."
Heaps is expecting a difficult confrontation against the Dynamo.
"They play a 4-4-2 and their wide guys, Brian Mullan and Brad Davis, make the engine go," Heaps said. "This is going to be a classic rematch. Last year, both teams were feeling each other out. This time we have to bring our game to them. Hopefully, we will jump on them like this is a home game for us. We played well at D.C. last year [in a 1-0 win in the 2006 Eastern Conference final] and we can use this like it's our home field."
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com. 