Revolution still in hot pursuit

Cup failures have sparked changes

FOXBOROUGH - There are several indications this will not be a typical Revolution season.

For starters, the Revolution will play the Houston Dynamo tonight in unfamiliar territory, at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution's 12 previous season-openers were away from home, only two of them victories.

The team has won four Eastern Conference titles in six years. And coach Steve Nicol insists there has been little change to the team itself - only two starters are missing from the MLS Cup team that lost to the Dynamo last year.

But there has a been a shake-up. The roster includes seven newcomers, plus five others who played a combined total of 22 minutes in Major League Soccer last season. Four players could make their Revolution starting debut: right back Chris Albright, left wing Mauricio Castro, and Gambian teenagers Kenny Mansally and Sainey Nyassi. Adding to the novelty will be Steve Ralston in a midfield playmaking role after he established himself as the league's best right wing in 12 years and 371 MLS games (playoff and regular season).

The impetus for change has been the Revolution's MLS Cup failures. Six successive Eastern Conference championship game appearances confirm the Revolution have been doing many things right, but three straight MLS Cup defeats indicate lack of a finishing touch.

So, the Revolution could be a little more disjointed and unpredictable. But, if all goes well, the Revolution could also be more dynamic; and unpredictability could work in their favor, disarming the opposition, as well.

"There are some different faces," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "But in terms of what we do as a team, we are not any different. We are not asking guys to do anything they are not capable of doing. Are they young? Are they inexperienced? Yes. But they are capable and the more they play, the better their decision-making becomes."

Here are some of the themes that could determine the Revolution's fate this season:

Depth. The Revolution could be involved in three outside competitions (Champions League, SuperLiga, US Open Cup), and could play up to 51 games, depending on their success in elimination tournaments and MLS playoffs. The first test of the team's reserves will be tonight, as Khano Smith (national team duty) and Wells Thompson (left heel bruise) are replaced by Castro and Nyassi.

Ralston in the middle. Rarely has a player made the move to such a primary position so late in his career. Ralston has played more games than any US professional, breaking the mark by Bill McPherson, who concluded his career in the 1930s. "It's not like I've never been in this role before," Ralston said. "I'll do the same things I've always done, keep possession and make the final pass, score a couple goals here and there. It helps that Shalrie Joseph and Jeff Larentowicz are behind me, that makes the job easier."

Finding a strike partner for Taylor Twellman. Mansally (19 years, two months - two days older than Nyassi), who led the team with five goals in six preseason matches, could become the youngest Revolution opening day starter. Adam Cristman, 23, and Kheli Dube, 24, are also available. Cristman scored four goals last season and Dube played at a high level in Zimbabwe before a collegiate career in the US.

Back line improvement. Only Michael Parkhurst returns to the same position. Jay Heaps moves to left back, and Albright takes Heaps's place on the right in a 3-5-2 setup. The hope is for Albright, a converted forward, to join the attack.

Replacing Andy Dorman, Avery John, Pat Noonan, and James Riley. The candidates include youngsters Argenis Fernandez, 20; Gary Flood, 22; Kyle Helton, 21; Amaechi Igwe, 19; Rob Valentino, 22; plus Cristman, Mansally, and Nyassi.

Going the distance. The Revolution have lost five finals (four MLS Cup, one US Open Cup). How they fare against Houston could set the tone.

"It's the first game of the season and we have to get ourselves ready to play," Nicol said. "The fact it's Houston isn't a huge thing for us. The MLS Cup is always a goal, first the playoffs and, after that [the MLS Cup]. We play a game at a time and prepare for the next game. If we prepare properly and play the way we can, and get a wee rub of the green, we can beat anyone they put in front of us. But you can't look three and four games down the road, or else you'll lose the one in front of you."

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