Revs Defense Continues to Take Hits

Thought to be one of the strengths of the club at the conclusion of the 2009 season, the Revolution defense has already lost one player to retirement, and another to injury.  A third key member is a free agent, a fourth is due to return to Africa at the conclusion of his loan, and a key back up is now a member of the Philadelphia Union.

To recap:

• Jay Heaps retired.  Say what you will about him, but he was a key part of what was a pretty stingy defense last year.
• Emmanuel Osei’s loan agreement is up.  I liked him.  Prone to the types of mistakes that are likely to give Steve Nicol a coronary at some point in the future, but he was clearly up to the task most of the time.
• Jeff Larentowicz is a free agent.  He likely won’t be back.  Ivy League grads don’t play three years of soccer at $30,000/year unless they see a big time payoff.  This is Jeff’s time to cash in, and I doubt that will happen in MLS.
• The situation in goal is a mess.  Brad Knighton was picked up by Philadelphia in the Expansion Draft.  No problem, the Revs still have Matt Reis, right?  Err…  not so much.  You see, Reis just had shoulder surgery that should keep him sidelined for the next 4-to-6 months.  Before you run to the calendar, that means he’ll likely miss the start of the Regular Season.  The only healthy goalkeeper on the roster at the moment?  22-year old Bobby Shuttleworth, last seen playing Division I soccer with the University of Buffalo.  There’s talk that the Revs have talked to Philadelphia about reacquiring Knighton, but if I were Peter Nowak, it would not come cheaply.

Do the Revs now have a problem in defense?

What next for Nicol, Revs?

Another season, another unsatisfactory conclusion.

A few days removed from what was an exceptionally painful ending (Jesus, anyone but him…) many Revolution fans are taking time to step back and look at the bigger picture.  And I’d have to think that most don’t really like what they’re looking at.

2009 was the 3rd consecutive year in which the club earned fewer points and had a worse goal differential than the previous season.  It’s difficult to draw any other conclusion then the organization is moving in the wrong direction.  And it’s time for that to stop before the situation gets any worse.

It’s beyond time for the Revolution to make sweeping changes to their organization, both on and off the field.  Players, trainers, coaches, executives, peanut vendors – they should all be evaluated, and none of them should be assured of returning in 2010.  Because as a Revolution fan from Day One, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to get excited about a club that seems to be stagnating on the playing field and at the gate.

Just when you think you’ve got ‘em figured out…

I don’t think it’s any secret that I don’t believe the Revs are a particularly good MLS team, but I have to admit, I was starting to believe just a little bit.

In a short tournament, with a veteran goalkeeper, a stingy defense, and just enough offense… you know, it wouldn’t be the first time a team like that won (…I’m looking at you, Kansas City).

But when you give up four goals at home to a team that hadn’t scored in weeks, well it just kind of shocks you back to reality.

And spare me the complains about the officiating.  Did Shalrie actually make contact with his boot?  Did he miss him by inches?  Who knows?  I do know that he put himself in a bad position, and he needs to be smarter than that.

So now the Revs face a cross-country trip to face Chivas USA without Joseph.  Five of their final eight games are on the road, and their three remaining home games are against Seattle, Chicago and Columbus.

The playoffs are not a sure thing.