First-time foe may be familiar tonight

Revolution know Pachuca's style

Sainey Nyassi's speed was too much for Osmar Mares and the rest of Santos Laguna in the Revolution's 1-0 win Sunday. (Stephan Savoia/Associated Press)

FOXBOROUGH - Santos Laguna introduced the Revolution to the Mexican League style of soccer Sunday. Tonight, the Revolution will see if that will help against Pachuca, a five-time Mexican champion, in the second match of the SuperLiga Tournament at Gillette Stadium.

The teams are meeting in Group B of the second-year tournament that pits the Mexican League's top four teams against the top four 2007 Major League Soccer teams.

The Revolution defeated Santos, 1-0, Sunday, while defending SuperLiga champion Pachuca walked away with a 2-1 win against Chivas USA in its opening match.

Pachuca has won all its titles since 1999 and owns back-to-back CONCACAF Champions Cup crowns. It will be the first meeting between the Revolution and Pachuca, but Revolution defender Jay Heaps said there may be some similarities between Santos and Pachuca.

"I definitely think you can learn a little bit about the pace of the game," Heaps said. "Santos came out quick, very fast-paced. I feel that Pachuca will be very similar to that. It's a very high level, and I think until you play against teams that are at that level, you can't really understand."

On Sunday, the Revolution opened with a 4-4-2 formation and reverted to a 3-5-2 in the second half. Heaps said the 4-4-2 was a more secure approach, and after a rhythm is established, a team can adjust if needed.

Revolution coach Steve Nicol said he was most pleased with his team's defense against Santos, allowing just two shots.

"If we can defend collectively the way we did [Sunday], we will give ourselves a chance," he said.

Some Revolution players must be cautious tonight. Heaps, Pat Phelan, Kheli Dube, and Michael Parkhurst received yellow cards against Santos. In SuperLiga, a second yellow card in group play results in a one-game suspension. The Revolution end group play Sunday against Chivas USA. If a team advances to the next round, all players begin with a clean slate.

Heaps said he will be more aware of his play, but Parkhurst, who is rarely handed yellow cards, said he will not adjust his approach.

"I don't get too many yellows, so hopefully, this isn't the one time that I go back-to-back games with a yellow," Parkhurst said.

Santos midfielder Juan Pablo Rodriguez drew a red card after he elbowed the Revolution's Sainey Nyassi in the first half.

Heaps said he didn't see the play, but he suspects Nyassi's speed may have bothered Rodriguez.

"To be honest with you, I think Sainey was giving him his best run, and I think the player was frustrated because Sainey was so fast," Heaps said.

Nyassi set up the winning goal by Dube in the second half.

Nyassi said he has grown accustomed to teams keying on him. In March, he noticed the Houston Dynamo challenging him more, but he is not bothered by the attention. "They are always trying to take me out, but I think I'm always strong enough."

The seven reserves on the MLS All-Star team were revealed yesterday by team coach Nicol and commissioner Don Garber. Nicol selected New York Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel, Toronto FC defender Jim Brennan, Colorado Rapids midfielders Christian Gomez and Pablo Mastroeni, and Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad. Garber chose Los Angeles Galaxy forward Edson Buddle and Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario to complete the 18-man roster for the game July 24 in Toronto.