FRISCO, Texas -- Matt Reis has a way of coming out on top -- if not right away, then in the end.
The New England Revolution goalkeeper will come out on top in a big way Sunday if he and his teammates win the MLS Cup Final at Pizza Hut Park.
But in order to do so, Reis and the Revolution will have to defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy and his longtime friendly rival, Kevin Hartman.
Reis and Hartman have a mutual history that stretches back to the mid-'90s when both played at UCLA. The two also played for the Galaxy for five seasons (1998-2002).
"We have definitely grown up quite a bit together," Reis said. "We have had a lot of the same coaches, our styles are similar and we have definitely pushed each other over the years. Both of us are what we are today because of the that competition."
It might be a mistake to even call it a rivalry.
"I think it's a respect thing," Reis said. "I think we all respect what the other has done because we know how hard it is and how lonely it is being the one man back there. We do have a bit of a goalkeepers union in the league -- and even in practice it's always been the goalkeepers against the rest of the team."
Hartman played while Reis backed him up at UCLA in 1996. The next year, Hartman was a rookie with the Galaxy and Reis was in goal when the Bruins won the NCAA Division I championship. When the Galaxy picked up Reis in 1998, the Galaxy had two talented goalkeepers to which they could turn.
But Hartman had a year headstart on Reis and held on to the first-choice position.
"Every time Matt was given an opportunity to play with the Galaxy, they did well," Revolution assistant coach David Vanole said, "whether it be that Kevin was struggling or injured or with the national team or it was an Open Cup game. (Reis) was very successful as a backup."
Vanole, himself a former UCLA goalkeeper who coached both Reis and Hartman at UCLA, said that both improved from having pushed each other, both in college and with the Galaxy.
"At certain points, you couldn't determine who was the No. 1 guy at L.A.," Vanole said. "Fortunately for Matt, he got an opportunity to come someplace where he might get a first-team position."
That came when the Revolution picked up Reis in a trade before the 2003 season. Reis found himself as a backup to Adin Brown until he won the job during the 2004 season.
"This is really his first year that he has had an opportunity to come into training camp knowing he was a starter, knowing what it takes to be a starter and keep his position," Vanole said.
Whatever edge Hartman had on Reis at UCLA, it was slight.
"It's really no surprise to me that they are both on teams that have gotten this far. They are both exceptional goalkeepers and exceptional leaders," Vanole said. "The difference, is that, in college is that Kevin was the hardest-working kid I had ever worked with. That's what separated Matt from him at the time."
That gap closed as both Reis and Hartman played for the Galaxy.
"You're fortunate if you have two guys who can play," Vanole said. "The trick is keeping them both happy, making sure that the guy who is considered No. 2 is pushing the guy who is considered No. 1 and is ready if something happens."
Reis anchors a New England defense that he perceived was not well respected at the beginning of the season. Reis and back three of Joe Franchino, Michael Parkhurst and Jay Heaps are not the biggest players on the field.
"We're definitely not the biggest back three but we're all pretty athletic, we cover for each other and work really together back there," Reis said. "I'm sure a lot of people looked at our lineup at the beginning of the season and thought they could exploit us at the back. But no one has really been able to do that."
Reis had 10 clean sheets and 35 goals against in 31 games this season.
"I know if I make a mistake, a guy will get behind me, Matt will be there," Revolution central defender Michael Parkhurst said.
"He is going to make the big save when we need it. Matt reads the game very well he can push people around and see things the normal person can't see when they are looking at the field. I love to hear him because he gives me confidence that I am in the right spot and doing the right thing."
Robert Whitman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
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