Revolution look to sweep homestand
New England looks to add win over Kansas City to victories over Real, Quakes
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With wins over Real Salt Lake and San Jose already in the bag, the Revolution hope to complete the trifecta by dismissing Kansas City at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night.
Revolution goalkeeper Brad Knighton said his team needs to finish off the homestand with a victory in order to keep the momentum gained from its three-game win streak and its torrid run (5-1-1) over the past seven games.
"Especially with games in hand, we have to win the games at home," Knighton said. "With this being the last game of the homestand, we want to walk away with nine points from three games. That's the mindset we have going in. We want to get on a good run before the playoffs starts. Hopefully, this win will get us closer to the playoff chase and we'll go from there."
Knighton will almost certainly have the chance impact the proceedings as he is slated to make his sixth start of the campaign in place of the injured Matt Reis (knee). Reis hasn't trained much this week and missed out on Friday's training session, leaving Knighton -- who missed Wednesday's training session with a lower back injury, but trained on Thursday and Friday -- to make his first appearance since an Open Cup bow on June 30.
Revolution coach Steve Nicol expressed confidence in his backup 'keeper and noted his side's recent defensive form (two goals allowed in three games) should help Knighton as he returns to the side.
"He hasn't played in a while in a game, so he'll be somewhat rusty in certain areas," Nicol said. "Having a settled four in front of him takes some of the weight off his shoulders."
Nicol will also likely have the chance to select striker Edgaras Jankauskas for the first time in three matches after he returned to fitness from an adductor injury. Jankuaskuas could come into the side for Kheli Dube if Nicol deems him fit enough to play significant minutes.
Wingers Mauricio Castro and Wells Thompson are expected to keep their spots on the wings for a third consecutive game even with Kenny Mansally and Sainey Nyassi pressing for a recall.
Those players who take the field on Saturday night will hope to notch their first win over Kansas City in 2009 after a loss and a draw in league play and a draw in SuperLiga group play. The Wizards' success over New England this season hasn't translated elsewhere in the past two and a half months. Kansas City hasn't won since defeating the Revs, 3-1, at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on June 13 and desperately needs a victory to erase a seven-match winless slide (0-5-2) since that contest.
"Tomorrow's a dangerous game," Nicol said. "They need results badly. So do we, but they're obviously fighting for their lives at the present time. We have to be very careful that we don't become in any way, shape or form complacent. We have to go out and focus and do what we do. If we have anybody who isn't doing that, they have some players who can take advantage of that and hurt you. We have to be very wary of them."
The Wizards haven't hurt anyone as of late on the attacking end as they are in the midst of a 424-minute scoreless streak (longest in MLS this season), three minutes shy of their own club record. Interim coach Peter Vermes still awaits the first goal under his stewardship as he enters his fourth game in charge, but Revolution defender Darrius Barnes said his side needs to respect the attacking weapons the Wizards possess even if they have misfired recently.
"They're always a dangerous team," Barnes said. "They've been a little bit unfortunate to go through a drought, but they have some dangerous players on that team. (Wizards forward Claudio) Lopez can change a game just like that, so we definitely have to be on our toes and our p's and q's to keep them out of the dangerous spots they like to get in."
In order to seal a fourth win on the bounce and keep the Wizards on the distant periphery of the playoff chase, Nicol said his side needs to start well and reproduce its recent form to ensure the Wizards don't gain a foothold in the contest and bolster their spirits.
"Are (the Wizards) going to be busting with confidence," Nicol said. "No, but at the same time, this is a huge game for them. They'll be up for the game, so that means we need to try to keep them down early in the game and not give them any confidence or any chance from getting something from the game. The only way that happens is if we do what we do."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
