When a tie is way better then kissing your sister.

Blake here:

Before last Saturday’s game with Chicago, I was dreading another RSL-like blowout. The Revs played some of their worst games last year against Chicago and were beaten 3-0 on more then one occasion, one of which I had the misfortune to see in person. So with the Revs starting yet another lineup and playing in Chicago, I had my doubts. The lone Chicago goal was a bit of a fluke after a corner kick into the box ended up dropping at the feet of Conde who blasted it home. Sharlie Joseph after 2 consecutive poor games was playing well in the striker role. Still going into the second half I was wondering how the Revs were going to score.

Well the Revs answered the question shortly into the second half after a nice bit of possession led to a Larentowicz shot from just outside the penalty area. Not a great shot, but it ended up at the feet of Joseph and he blasted it home for the goal. All that was left was for Reis to make the game saving diving stop of a McBride header and the Revs escaped Chicago with a point – something that didn’t happen last year.

It was an interesting lineup with Nichols going with a back four that had Alston back on the right side and Heaps on his customary left side with Tierney playing in front of him as left side midfielder. The latest entrant to the Revs lineup was Emmanuel Osei who had a very good game, aside from a few nervous making moments dribbling around in the box (something I am sure Coach Nichols will speak to him about). Overall Osei played calmly and colloborated well with Barnes. Ralston came in for Dube late in the game which was good to see, in his first two minutes he immediately set up two scoring opportunities. It was interesting to see Nyassi not in the lineup, but he has not been playing well lately.

So what will be the lineup for the Rapids? Tough to say. If Ralston is fully recovered, I think he starts. The back line (assuming no new injury nicks) will likely be the same. That leaves the midfield and forward positions. Is this the game we see Twellman? Does Nyassi make it back into the lineup? Did Tierney play well enough as Left-mid to get another run-out (I say yes)? At any rate I think it is likely that we will see yet another different starting lineup, the seventh in eight games. I will be in section 106 cheering them on.