Nicol adds his two cents on Champions

Few Champions League commentators can match Revolution coach Steve Nicol for credibility. Nicol, who participated in an ESPN studio presentation last week for the semifinals of the competition, played for Liverpool when it won the 1984 Champions Cup and lost in the '85 final.

Nicol's comments also reveal his concepts of soccer, many of which, hopefully, will be encouraged.

"Off camera, we sit and chat and I am impressed by his total and instant credibility," said Cambridge's Seamus Malin, a member of the in-studio group. "He knows the game as a player and now he has gained a new dimension as a coach, trying to get players to do the things which came easily to him. He understands the challenges of trying to get players motivated.

"And he has high standards for fair play. We were watching one game and the announcer said, 'That was a great foul, you've got to do that,' and the US national team coach was agreeing that it was 'a good foul.'

"But [Nicol] had just the opposite view; he said to me, 'We're trying to get that out of the game. That's a cynical, rough foul, it's a game-killer, it destroys the flow of the game.'

"There is a cynical reality to the game, but there are those who love the game and want there to be more panache and for it to be less defensive. And he believes what Liverpool is doing is not the Liverpool way."

Nicol has been critical of Liverpool's tactics, though the club was on the verge of advancing to its third final in four years. Before Liverpool was eliminated in a 3-2 loss to Chelsea in the semifinals last week, Nicol said the team should be on the attack and, instead of leaving strikers such as Peter Crouch on the bench, playing with two forwards.

But Nicol also displayed a self-deprecating sense of humor, and when Liverpool scored the tying goal early in the second half, he joked, "Who was it who said to bring Crouch on?"

Nicol was a defender for Liverpool, but he does not see the game from a totally defensive point of view, as indicated by the Revolution's attacking tactics from a 3-5-2 alignment. Nicol encouraged Liverpool to play offensively against Chelsea, and was vindicated as the Reds fell behind and failed in a last-ditch attempt to rally.

"Not going on the all-out attack at Anfield and playing one [forward] was just wrong," Nicol said. "You've got to go at them.

"They are saying defense wins titles. But attacking and goals and flair win titles, as well."

Nicol's assessment of Manchester United's chances against Chelsea in the May 21 final revealed his preference of player. Nicol discounted Chelsea's victory over United in a recent regular-season game because "the greatest footballer on the planet wasn't playing," referring to Christiano Ronaldo.

"He can score or beat somebody every time he has the ball," said Nicol. "When he has the ball, everyone on the other team panics. He heads the ball, strikes it left- or right-footed, backheels in goals, defends, runs like the wind. It's hard to find a flaw with him. He has pace and his balance is phenomenal, and all the best players have great balance.'

Ronaldo's rating among the all-time best?

"He is unique," Nicol said. "But he hasn't been at it long, and he still has a wee bit to go."

'Town' meeting

Revolution assistant coach Paul Mariner is expected to return today after participating in a 30th-year celebration of Ipswich Town's victory in the FA Cup. Mariner was named the most valuable player of the game as Ipswich Town defeated Arsenal . . . Dorchester's Sheanon Williams is with the US Under-20 team for a three-game tour of England this week (Bolton, Everton, Manchester United). Williams enrolled at the University of North Carolina this semester and will perform for Carolina in the Premier Development League but could be headed toward a professional career as soon as next season. Williams recently turned down offers from Hertha Berlin and MLS and trained with Twente Enschede in The Netherlands in January. Williams is continuing a trend of local players departing. Caio Canedo Correia (Nantucket) went to Sao Paulo FC in Brazil and defender Kareem Smith (Dorchester) is playing for United Petrotrin and last month made his debut with the Trinidad & Tobago national team. Forward Charlie Davies (Boston College) turned down MLS for Hammarby in Sweden last year. The next local prospect could be Aaron Maund (Dorchester), who performed for T&T in the FIFA U17 World Cup last year.

Russian revolution

Privatization has contributed to the revitalization of Russian soccer. Oligarchs have poured money into the sport, resulting in improved play in the league and greater influence in Europe. The Champions League final will be contested in Russia (Moscow) for the first time and this will be the first time controlling interest of a finalist (Chelsea) is with a Russian (Roman Abramovich). Defending Russian champion Zenit St. Petersburg will meet Rangers in the UEFA Cup final May 14 in Manchester. Zenit defeated Bayern Munich, 4-0, in the semifinal return leg last week, despite playing without suspended forward Andrey Arshavin. Zenit is coached by Dutchman Dick Advocaat, who formerly guided Rangers.

Fulham keeping up

Former Columbus Crew striker Brian McBride scored the first goal as Fulham defeated Birmingham City, 2-0, moving it close to escaping the relegation zone in England. Former Revolution star Clint Dempsey, US national team goalkeeper Kasey Keller, and Canadian defender Paul Stalteri went the distance for Fulham (33 points), which is tied with Reading, a point ahead of Birmingham, in 17th place. Fulham, which has won thrice in the last four games, can remain in the Premiership with a victory at Portsmouth Saturday. Dempsey, the team's leading scorer with six goals, has re-signed with Fulham through the 2009-10 season . . . Milan's 2-1 victory over Inter moved the Diavoli Rossi into fourth place, a point ahead of Fiorentina, in Italy's Serie A. The fourth-place team advances to the preliminary competition for the Champions Cup, which means Milan's Kaká will not likely perform for Brazil in the Beijing Olympics . . . Chelsea's 2-0 win over Newcastle United yesterday tied the Blues for first place with Manchester United (84 points) in the Premiership. Manchester United has a 17-point edge over Chelsea in goal differential, the first tie-breaker, and can win the title against Wigan this week.

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