New England Revolution: The big questions
WHAT DO THE REVOLUTION NEED TO DO TO GET BACK TO THE '07 MLS CUP FINAL?
Revs fans might be forgiven for rephrasing this question to "What do the Revolution need to do to win the MLS Cup Final in 2007?" but there is no doubt that there is work to be done if New England is to even reach its fourth final in six years.
Facing the prospect of losing several key players during the offseason -- "there is a possibility we could lose half of our starting 11," said head coach Steve Nicol -- the Revs first-choice lineup in 2007 is set to look a lot different from that of this year.
However, whether the likes of Clint Dempsey, Shalrie Joseph and possibly others leave or not, the biggest thing that Nicol hopes will be different from this year to next is that he has a more consistently settled starting side.
"I think that, from the coach's point of view, if you can get a regular 11 on the field then you can't ask for anymore than that," said Nicol. "We want players with ability, good people and strong characters and those with heart for the fight. We want to be able to pass the ball and play but, at the end of the day, you want to be settled.
"(This year) there were so many things going on and it wasn't like they all happened at once. When we lost one player, we got one back and then lost another. When you are constantly doing that, the 11 on the field is constantly changing which makes it harder to get that continuity and get that rhythm."
Check out the best of 2006WHAT WAS THE TEAM'S BEST MOMENT IN '06?
Undoubtedly, the Revolution's playoff successes against the Chicago Fire and D.C. United were the highlights of 2006. The victories showed the adaptability of Nicol, whose shrewd personnel and formation adjustments outfoxed his opposite numbers, and his side, which first chased the game against a Fire side that was two goals ahead on aggregate and then bunkered down against United after having taken an early lead.
What made those victories more impressive was the fact that the Revolution achieved them without several key players. Clint Dempsey missed the second leg of the Chicago series and the game against United. Also missing against the Fire at Gillette Stadium was Joseph. In that same game, Steve Ralston limped off and would not play a week later in Washington D.C.
During the regular season, New England failed to consistently hit the heights they had a year previously, when the Revs led the Eastern Conference from start to finish. After an encouraging win in Los Angeles against the Galaxy on opening day, the side failed to win for more than a month, until the same opponent was put to the sword at Gillette Stadium.
Thereafter, the season took on a stuttering pattern, with the Revolution suffering two extended runs, first of six and then seven games, without a win. Finally, in the last two weeks of the season, the side won three consecutive games, which was part of run that saw New England go 5-0-2 over their final seven matches.
WHO MADE THE MOST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON?
Nicol was quick to point out that he believed the majority of his squad had made great strides this season, with Matt Reis, Jay Heaps and Michael Parkhurst mentioned in particular. Each of those men were known quantities; however, as was to a slightly lesser extent, Andy Dorman, who Nicol also praised.
Entering the season, Jeff Larentowicz had precisely one minute of professional playing time under his belt. The Brown alumnus saw fleeting time in the opening months of the campaign, before the Revolution's injury problems saw him thrust into the center of the side's midfield. From there, he went on to make 26 regular season appearances and also played roles in each of New England's four playoff games.
"We knew Jeff was a tough tackler," said Nicol. "We knew he was strong and we would get everything from him. We knew he could pass the ball but I would be lying if I said we got from him what we expected. We got more and even more on top of that. When he got his chance he really took it and showed us things that he hadn't shown us before."
WHAT RESERVES ARE MOST READY TO MOVE INTO THE FIRST TEAM? For the first time during his tenure as Revolution boss, Nicol did not see instant dividends from any of his draft selections. Indeed, his top pick, Leandro de Oliveira, was quickly consigned to the history books as persistent injury problems led to him being waived in June.
However, Nicol is not about to give up on what is waiting in reserve. In Arsene Oka, the Revs may have unearthed something and a full year as a professional will have benefited both Kyle Brown and Tony Lochhead. Meanwhile, Nicol is hopeful that his second pick in the 2006 SuperDraft can also make strides.
"Willie Sims is somebody who we think and hope next year can stake that step up. He has got some great tools and he scores goals. He is sharp and has got a bit of pace," said the Revs' boss. "Of all the young players we brought in last year, he is the one that we hope can step up next year."
WHAT AREA OF THE TEAM NEEDS THE MOST IMPROVEMENT?
Nicol admitted that he is not certain what the makeup of his team will be next year. Crucially, he looks set to have his main defensive men back, in the form of Reis, Heaps and Parkhurst. Ahead of them is where the questions begin.
With Joseph's future uncertain, the Revs' engine room could be in for an overhaul, though the loss of Dempsey would be offset by the continued development of Dorman.
Out wide, Ralston will be another year older and could do with some support to ensure he does not suffer the injury problems that afflicted him at the end of this season. On the opposite wing, Khano Smith showed encouraging signs but has to find more consistency. Up front, Sims can help Taylor Twellman and Pat Noonan.
The need to boost the quality throughout the squad is clear and Nicol knows that he has to do more than simply rely on hoping he drafts MLS-ready players.
"You have to get the spade out and dig deep and try and find players from anywhere and everywhere," he said. "Phone calls, you name it, any way at all to find players, we are really going to have to be doing it."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
