FOXBORO -- There are still nine matches left in the 30-game regular-season, but the New England Revolution seem to once again be getting things together for a stretch run to the playoffs.
Riding a seven-game unbeaten streak (2-0-5), the Revs will host Kansas City, owners of the second-best record in MLS, tonight at 7:30 at Gillette Stadium.
After collecting a total of 9 points (of a possible 36) in its first dozen games, New England has only one loss in its last 9.
If the MLS playoffs were to start today, the Revolution (5-8-8) would be in the mix as the fourth and final representative from the Eastern Conference. They are ahead of the slumping Chicago Fire (1-3-0 last four games) by a scant point. D.C. United, which will be in Foxboro next Saturday, is third in the East (6-8-7, 25 points), and
the MetroStars (9-7-5, 32) and Columbus (7-5-8, 29) round out the East standings.
Despite myriad injuries that started before the regular season began and the lineup changes that came with them, the team is once again in position for a late-season push.
First-year general manager Craig Tornberg gave much of the credit to head coach Steve Nicol.
"He has really given a clear-cut message with the coaching staff as to what the expectation is, and he has stuck pretty well to the core of the system he has in mind, the method of play, and the way they're going to go about doing their jobs," Tornberg said yesterday after training at Wrentham State School.
Nicol prefers a defense-first style, which has been difficult in a season in which veteran Carlos Llamosa has missed the entire year with a torn ACL, Rusty Pierce returned just last week after missing most of the season with a severe quadriceps contusion, and team captain Joe Franchino suffered a hip strain Aug. 11 in Dallas.
Plus, goalkeeper Adin Brown has missed 15 games with two separate injuries.
But Tornberg said it has been the play of first-year Revs Felix Brilliant and Richie Baker, who have stepped in capably in the absence of injured players, as well as vets Steve Ralston and Brian Kamler, both of whom have moved back from their customary midfield spots to play defense at points this season, that gets part of the credit for the team not falling out of the running to this point.
And Nicol's seemingly unemotional response to wins and losses, maddening for some who follow the team, is part of what makes him a good coach, Tornberg said.
"He's remarkable because unlike many of us, and I'll include myself in that . . ., those of us who are sometimes flying off the handle at a loss or just overjoyed over a win, he's really level about the whole thing and he takes it in the context of the overall season," said Tornberg.
"I think it's a good message for our players and it's certainly a good message for our fans."
New England's prospects for making the postseason will only improve as rookie Clint Dempsey (broken jaw) and forward Joe-Max Moore (right knee) are expected to return in the coming weeks.
Dempsey could return as soon as next weekend, while Moore, who had a small piece of his lateral meniscus removed this week rather than a complete reconstruction of his medial collateral ligament, is now scheduled for a return in 4-6 weeks.
Also, the team is awaiting the arrival of former English Premier League defender Steve Howey. According to the Boston Globe, Howey, 32, has signed with MLS through December. Howey needed a stamp on his visa from the U.S. consulate in London but could arrive this weekend.
Kansas City comes into Foxboro in need of a win, with a three-game losing streak and four-game winless streak after Wednesday's loss in Columbus. The big news for the Wizards, however, is the return of ageless striker Preki, who played his first game of the season against the Crew.
The reigning league MVP, now 41, broke his left fibula and dislocated his ankle in the preseason.
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