Parkhurst is playing it safe
FOXBOROUGH - Michael Parkhurst's last visit to Giants Stadium was also the last time he was issued a caution in a Revolution game. When Parkhurst was yellow-carded for taking down New York's Jozy Altidore in the 71st minute of a 0-0 playoff tie Oct. 27, it was his only caution in the last two years.
The Revolution were in an exceptionally cautious mode in the first of a two-game series, which paid off as they took the return match, 1-0. They advanced to an MLS Cup final loss to Houston.
But when the Revolution visit the Red Bulls tomorrow night, a more wide-open style of play is expected. And Parkhurst could have to deal with Altidore and Juan Pablo Angel, one of the most potent strike combinations in Major League Soccer.
"They are big, physical guys and we have to be aware of them," Parkhurst said yesterday. "We know we are going to be in for a battle and we can't give them anything.
"Jozy is strong and he's improving every year, adding technical ability to his physical attributes."
The Revolution contained the Red Bull forwards last year. Altidore (four games) and Angel (five games) were limited to one goal each against the Revolution, and Angel was ejected from a match. Angel (left hamstring strain) is questionable for this game.
The Revolution have a 10-game (7-0-3) unbeaten streak against New York in playoff and regular-season matches since Oct. 22, 2005.
"If we were in that situation, we would definitely be motivated," Parkhurst said. "It's like us against Houston. Plus, it's a home game for them and they are going to battle and make it tough for us. We have to be clean at the back, we have to be mistake-free."
Parkhurst's choice of words is not typical for a central defender. But this describes his playing style - his movements are precise and he usually reads the game well enough to short-circuit dangerous situations. At his best, Parkhurst delivers a neat performance, remaining a step ahead of the opposition, balls efficiently dealt with, collisions avoided, opposing strikers wondering why they had few scoring chances.
Parkhurst's first-half problems in a 4-0 loss at Chicago April 3 were an exception.
"Sometimes you get away with mistakes," Parkhurst said. "In Chicago, we didn't. Obviously, it was one of the worst games I've played in a long, long time. It was an embarrassing performance in the first half.
"But it was good we had a game the next Wednesday [a 3-1 win at Kansas City], and I've been able to put it behind me."
There are no statistics that accurately reflect a defender's effectiveness. But few professional central defenders can match his numbers - 103 games (playoffs and regular season), 27 fouls, 4 cautions.
"There is not a player born who is 100 percent all the time," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "There never has been and never will be. We're happy with how [Parkhurst] is doing. He doesn't need any extra motivation, he's already self-motivated."
Defender Chris Albright (left ankle) will miss his third straight game . . . Steve Ralston (dislocated shoulder) and Taylor Twellman (knee surgery) jogged around the Gillette Stadium practice field yesterday . . . Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz (right ankle) did not practice, but is expected to play against the Red Bulls.
