The Revs Aren't Allright

courtesy of revolutionsoccer.net

The Revs this year have had their moments that have recalled the grittiness of past teams. The 1-0 defeats of both Houston and Seattle on the road were examples of that. The three match winning streak going into the home game vs. K.C. was another example. But every time the team seemed to be putting something together, an injury, untimely red card or a desultory performance seemed to derail them once again. Twellman returns to the Revs lineup just twice - once to score his 100th and 101st goals of his career - and shortly thereafter, the team announces he is back on the injured list for post concussion syndrome symptoms and he doesn’t play again this year (and may never play soccer again). Ralston once again is put out of the lineup with an injury for a foul that was not called. Last year it was K.C.'s Hercules Gomez with a stud's up two footed tackle (for which no card was issued) this year it was Osvaldo Alonso of Seattle giving Ralston a shove as he went up for a header which apparently everyone in Gillette stadium but the center ref saw. And of course there was the K.C. game in which Joseph got a red card 22 minutes into the match - a red card with the USSF stated on their web site should not have been given. But does MLS rescind the one game suspension? No - of course not. So the Revs went to L.A. to play Chivas and lost 2-0 and played one of their poorer matches. Then against the Rapids on Saturday, Laurentowicz isn't starting and Heaps is out. The Revs managed a draw playing a makeshift lineup and even thought they were up a man for 30 minutes I was happy with the draw. So I was hopeful coming into Saturday night's game against Columbus, but worried. The only goal was scored by Columbus on a free kick by Padula in which Reis and Osei performed an Alphones and Gaston routine as neither made a play on the ball and it bounced (bounced!) into the net. Well it was that kind of night and the Revs seemed unable to generate any scoring changes in the second half. Once again they went up a man in the 69th minute, but as before against TFC and Colorado could do nothing to capitalize. Even if the Revs make the playoffs (and playing Chicago home and away and away to Columbus does not leave me hopeful), I don't see them making it past the first round. For whatever reason this year the club seems to lack something.