Revolution not passing muster

FOXBOROUGH - The Revolution may be guaranteed a playoff spot at the end of the month, but it is the only thing they can count on.

In the last two matches, sporadic play has led to a loss and a tie, and left the Revolution searching for the cohesive performances that made them the league's best team earlier in the season. Since Aug. 9, the Revolution are 2-4-4 in MLS matches, and are clinging to second place by 1 point over the Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference. The stellar play in the first half of the season helped the Revolution withstand a lull and become one of three teams (Columbus Crew and Houston Dynamo) to already clinch playoff berths.

But the Revolution do not want to enter the postseason grappling for their identity. They have three regular-season games left, including tonight on the road against Kansas City, to shake the uncertainty.

While the Supporters' Shield for the best record in the regular season is the Crew's to lose, the Revolution have much to play for. Securing second place in the conference is important in the first round of the playoffs, an aggregate-goals series. The higher seed hosts the second match, viewed as an emotional advantage should extra time be needed to determine a winner.

Following a 1-0 loss to Columbus Sept. 27 and 2-2 tie with Real Salt Lake last Saturday, both at Gillette Stadium, the Revolution are looking for a positive result tonight. Passing has been the buzzword following the Revolution's comeback for a point against Real Salt Lake. This week, coach Steve Nicol continued to harp on the part of the Revolution's arsenal often viewed as its strength.

"We just need to improve overall," midfielder Shalrie Joseph said. "Defensively, teams sit back and they basically clog up the middle and don't allow us to pass the ball and that's part of our strength is passing. We've just got to be better overall with our passing, with our attacking, and our play in general."

But controlling the match becomes difficult when opponents take the lead. The Revolution are 0-6-5 when allowing the first goal this season.

"Getting the first goal is huge," Nicol said. "It settles everybody down, and it makes the other team have to gamble more than they would. They both go hand in hand. Obviously, we want to defend well, and teams are coming at us and we want to be able to stop them."

Falling behind early means the more stable parts of a game can suffer, according to midfielder Jeff Larentowicz.

"I think it's just a natural reaction when you're down a goal, you're going to start to press forward, and I think when you press forward you take a lot of chances that you might not normally," Larentowicz said.

The Revolution will not have an easy opponent in Kansas City. The Wizards (8-10-9, 33 points) may be near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but they are still in the playoff race. Kansas City is 1 point behind Colorado and FC Dallas, who are tied for the last of two wild-card spots.

With teams pushing toward the postseason, Larentowicz said there is a sense of urgency.

"It's incredibly important," Larentowicz said. "We're looking at an incredibly tough playoff series, regardless. If we do the right things, and we do them well, maybe the results won't go our way, but if we're playing better soccer and we feel better about the way we're playing and the way we're approaching games, that's the way to go into the playoffs. It's more of an attitude thing. The results will come when the attitude is right."

Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com