Revolution know it's parity time in MLS
LOS ANGELES - Of the teams with the best records in Major League Soccer last season, only the Revolution (3-3-1) are off to a .500 start. MLS Cup champion Houston (0-2-4), D.C. United (2-5-0), and Chivas USA (1-3-2), the Revolution's opponent tomorrow, have struggled. Columbus (5-1-0, 15 points), which failed to qualify for the playoffs last year, leads the league in points per game
"There is so much parity in the league, teams are so closely matched that one or two plays make the difference every game," Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston said yesterday. "For Houston, it's a matter of time, they are too good a team. Last year, Houston and D.C. had similar records, then they went on long unbeaten streaks.
"But it's kind of scary, because every team is so close. It's always been like that, but teams like Columbus and Chicago are well organized and now they are getting their confidence and playing really well."
The Revolution have lost to Chicago by scores of 4-0 and 3-0.
"We've got to sort it out," Ralston said. "It's a long season, but we are not playing to the level we need to be at. Part of it is because of injuries. But we're not panicking."
Ralston has yet to play a full match. He sustained a dislocated shoulder in the second half of the season opener and returned in the second half of last Saturday's loss to Chicago. Striker Taylor Twellman (knee surgery) will make his season debut against Chivas USA.
"There is not a game that we figure, we'll win that one," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "It's too early in the season and everyone is getting settled. But before every kickoff, you can't put money on any team to win a game.
"Teams have made a lot of changes. And the game is played on the field, not on paper. There are a ton of reasons why things can go wrong. Mistakes, you don't finish chances, players don't fit in. And, in this league, it's hard to replace players."
The Revolution's most significant offseason acquisitions have been defender Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy) and midfielder Mauricio Castro (CD Motagua). Albright performed in both losses to Chicago, missing the intervening four games with an ankle injury.
"We needed to keep the ball better the last game," Albright said. "When you do that, it gives the other team a lot less opportunities to counter, or make runs, whatever you want to call it, they have less chances to come at you.
"Chicago didn't have tremendous chances, but they finished them. They've thumped us a couple of times but those are aberrations. We've had trouble scoring goals and if you don't score first it's difficult."
Twellman is expected to improve the Revolution attack. The Revolution have twice scored three goals in games, the offensive spark coming from Sainey Nyassi on the right wing. But Nyassi (adductor strain) has played only four full matches and will miss tomorrow's contest. The Revolution have been shut out three times and twice scored one goal in games.
"It will be great to be playing on a nice, big field, it's easier on the body," Albright said of the surface at The
Nyassi has been moved to the Revolution's senior roster. The team has filled 26 of 28 roster spots.
