Time is now for Smith

Taylor Twellman knows the score after his goal - his fourth of the season in his seventh MLS game - gave the Revolution a 1-0 lead. (Chris Young/Associated Press)

TORONTO - Revolution midfielder/forward Khano Smith is looking to keep his spot in the starting lineup.

Smith has started the last three matches. Against San Jose, he was in at forward; he followed with a start at midfield against D.C. United, replacing first-year MLS player Mauricio Castro; and last night he started at forward against Toronto FC.

Following the United game, a 2-1 victory, Revolution coach Steve Nicol said Smith has earned the playing time.

"He has been - over the past two or three games - he has been lively, he has been enthusiastic," Nicol said. "The one thing that we tend to forget is players coming from outside the USA don't understand the whole travel part of the game, and Castro has been just feeling his legs.

"He is used to getting on a bus and going an hour and playing another team [in Honduras]. He is not used to time zones and flights and buses to stadiums to get to the airport and all kinds of things.

"Castro was feeling his legs a little bit, but as I said, Khano Smith has been energetic and confident, and that is why we're playing him."

Smith said he is not taking anything for granted when it comes to playing time. He has started 13 of 22 games this season, collecting two goals and two assists.

"I just got to keep it now," Smith said. "I'm going to keep fighting for it, but will do whatever is best for the team, if I have to be on the bench or playing, but I want to play."

Deal him out
The Revolution were without Sainey Nyassi last night. The midfielder was serving a one-game suspension due to yellow card accumulation. Against D.C. United, Nyassi picked up his fifth yellow of the season on a foul against Jaime Moreno . . . Goalkeeper Doug Warren made his second MLS start of the season. Warren replaced Matt Reis, who continues to rehab from an adductor strain suffered at San Jose Aug. 16. Warren did well in his first start, against D.C. United, and stopped three shots last night. He has big shoes to fill, as Reis missed his second straight MLS match after having played every MLS game since August 2005. Following his performance against United, Warren received praise from Taylor Twellman. "It's awesome, Doug and I have been friends since we were 16, 17, and we were on youth teams together," Twellman said. "I'm a big fan of Dougie and we're just blessed with two really good goalies. I have been a part of Doug's two wins here and they were both against D.C., so it's well deserved."

Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com