Revolution are revolving on the fly

Steve Nicol has had to add the role of juggler to his head coaching duties because of injuries that have plagued his squad all season. Only two players - Darrius Barnes and Jeff Larentowicz - have played all 13 games.

He said he’s had to be “just a wee bit’’ more creative because of the adversity and part of that means having players play out of position.

“Last week [against the Galaxy in Los Angeles] was a classic example,’’ said Nicol. “Wells Thompson had really been playing wide right for us and ends up playing left back. That kind of sums up the situation we had.’’

Nicol said he’s been fortunate in that he has versatile players, such as Thompson, who are able to move around to help the team.

“There’s always something going on, suspensions, injuries, that you have to juggle sometimes and we like to think that we accept those things and make the best of it,’’ he said.

The Revolution host the Kansas City Wizards at Gillette Stadium this afternoon. Nicol should have a healthier and more potent roster. Veteran Steve Ralston, who is second on the team with four goals, is expected back after missing four contests (two in the SuperLiga, one in the US Open Cup, and an MLS game) because of a right hamstring strain suffered June 21.

“He’s available to play,’’ said Nicol. “One thing I want to do is get him on the field regularly because he’s a key player for us. He’s smart, he knows the game well and reads it well.’’

Are the Revolution ready to take off now that they are returning to health?

“The last time somebody asked me that question, we ended up losing guys again, so I’ll keep away from that,’’ Nicol said.

The Revolution have seen a lot of the Wizards the last few weeks. Today marks the third meeting between the teams in 29 days. The Wizards are 1-0-1 against New England.

As much as Nicol’s lineups have changed throughout the season, he said there is plenty of familiarity between his players and Kansas City’s. Familiarity breeds contempt, but Nicol doesn’t think that is the case here. In fact, he said it’s the opposite.

“Usually it cancels things out,’’ said the coach. “You become too familiar and everybody knows exactly what everybody is going to do and a lot of times, the more often you play them, it kind of goes stale. I guess the physical side kind of ramps up because you’re just tough and you have to be because that’s the only way you’re going to win.’’

The Revolution (4-5-4) and Wizards (5-6-4) are struggling, with New England in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind fifth-place Kansas City. Nicol would like his team to play with more discipline.

“The last three games, we’ve finished with 10 men, which obviously makes it a bit difficult, being a man down,’’ he said. “The first thing we need to do is be smart and don’t make bad decisions and end up getting somebody sent off.

“As far as a rivalry, I think it’s just a typical intraconference game, the same as we have with most of the other teams. There’s not much [room separating] all the teams, so that makes it tight and tough and you have to be physically ready.’’

In their 17 games, including non-MLS matches, the Revolution are 6-6-5. In the contests they’ve won, they’ve outscored the opposition, 14-4. In games they’ve lost, they’ve been outscored, 17-3.

“I think that kind of goes with the season so far,’’ said Nicol. “When you change your lineups all the time, you lose that continuity. It’s all over the place. When you’re making changes, not just at one position but three and four positions in different games, that continuity eventually has to leak and that’s what has happened.’’

Nancy Marrapese-Burrell can be reached at marrapese@globe.com.