The Obligatory Halloween Entry

With the All Hallow’s Eve upon us, and the Revs poised to take the Eastern Conference championship this weekend in Marion Berry’s old hangout, I figured I’d write the obligatory “Trick or Treat”-themed entry in relation to Nicol & Co. and their less than esteemed opponents.

TRICK: Dave Sarachan badgering MLS to have Shalrie Joseph suspended on a call that wasn’t even carded during the course of the match. The integrity and decisiveness shown by the governing body we all know and love, the MLS Discipline Committee, later determined that the tears of Mr. Sarachan were warranted and proceeded to pacify the baby. On a related note, the MLS plans to market officially licensed Chicago Fire binkies and rattles bearing the image of the aforementioned.

TREAT: Revs “piss on the Fire” (kudos to the Fort) the following weekend and despite the ubiquitous pro-Chicago officiating, the Revs pull out a stunner and win on penalty kicks. Fortunately for Mr. Sarachan, he has all winter to think of more inane ways to get back at the Revs.

TRICK: Chicago Fire softie Ivan Guerrero running his mouth stating that the suspension to the aformentioned Mr. Joseph was “deserved,” even though the game referee didn’t issue a card to either player in response to the so-called elbow to Mr. Guerrero’s mug.

TREAT: Guerrero lines up for Chicago’s final penalty kick Saturday night, and is REJECTED by the soccer god they call Matt Reis, who obviously threw the (bad) soccer karma back in the face of the Fire.

TRICK: The Fire playing back on their 1-0 nest egg going into Saturday’s match, hoping to sit back and merely contain the Revs. Apparently they forgot about a couple of guys named Taylor Twellman and Pat “Mr. October” Noonan.

TREAT: Thanks, Fire. Thanks for sitting back and allowing us to run all over you, and in the process, letting the outstanding goalkeeping of that soccer god Reis and the persistence of his compatriots rally from a 2-0 aggregate deficit.

TRICK: With the unpredictable New England weather showing up, and bringing its friends rain and wind to the party, the potential for a non-scoring, 0-0 result was on the minds of many Revs fans. And to make matters worse, the Gillette Stadium turf had been replaced less than 48 hours prior to the match. This match had the potential to be ugly on the parts of the players and on the field conditions.

TREAT: Although the wind and rain certainly played a role, the turf was in surprisingly good condition, and the Revs were able to muster two goals despite the weather. Additionally, while many had predicted a low turnout due to the rain, a shade under 10,000 passionate Revs fans showed up for – yes, I’ll say it – the greatest match in New England Revolution history. There, I feel better.

By the way, I must also now proclaim that the Chicago Fire have pulled to within two car lengths of the Yankees in terms of teams I hate. If anyone is looking to make a quick $9.99, please send me a white, 100% cotton “Piss on the Fire” t-shirt, size medium. I’ll carefully hang it right next to my “Yankees Suck”, “Brokeback Jeter” ” and “Jeter Sucks A-Rod” t-shirts.

Do I stay or do I go?

I write you on this clear and cool Autumn morning with the following predicament on my hands: Do I stay or do I go?

More specifically, do I dare trek to our nation’s capital to see our lads in person square off against DC United in the Eastern Conference Final, or do I stay on speaking terms with my bank account and watch the game on TV with some other hardy Revs fans?

I’ve got to say that the quandry is a good one: either way, I’ll be joining (and meeting) fellow Revs supporters for this monumentous match, be it live or televised. The prospect of being joined with other Revs fans, people whom I’ve never met but have the same strong bond to our club, has me doing my usual weekend planning dance typically reserved for Friday afternoon, on Monday morning instead. To meet others who share the same passion and attachment for our team, in such a crucial match already has me looking scrambling to check the finances, family obligations (my brother’s birthday is on Friday), and other prior/possible commitments to see which scenario – travel or stay – is best suited for me.

Either way, this weekend bears the promise of much cheer and excitement for sure, as our Supah Revs head into DC to take the Eastern Conference crown.

*Some housekeeping issues on my end have to be attended to this week. I have, hanging in my overflowing closet, three Revs jerseys – two 2006 models, home and away, and one 2005 home model – all needing customization done to them.

However, I have been debating lately as to which players to customize each with. I have decided that the 06 blue jersey will be “Noonan 11”, leaving the 06 white jersey and 05 blue jersey in question. I’m leaning toward “Dempsey 2” for the white jersey, and but am stuck in deciding the final jersey. Cancela 7…Ralston 14…Parkhurst 15…Dorman 25…decisions, decisions!

Speechless and Sleepless

I want to be in bed, under the sheets on a cool and brisk New England Autumn night. I want to rest my head on the fluffy pillows that reside at the top of my bed. My eyes dry and voice raspy, I just want to sleep.

But I can’t.

The old expression of “tired but wired” certainly applies to this Revs fan right about now. After coming home less than two hours ago from the greatest sporting event I have ever attended…did you get that…EVER ATTENDED…I was among the thousands of hearty and excited fans present at Gillette Stadium who weathered the rain, wind and cold for the Revs stunning come-from-behind win Saturday night over the hated Fire. Yes, HATED Fire. As in “burn in hell” Fire. (Kinda has a ring to it, no?)

What started out as more of the same from the impeccable judgement of MLS officiating, whereby numerous Fire fouls went unseen, while Revs fouls were seemingly caught from every possible angle of Gillette Stadium (methinks MLS aka “Big Brother”, if you will, had a hand in this), the Revs gave way to an early Fire goal. However, this would be the last regular-time goal the Fire would score in ’06, because the Revs would never look back after then. Taylor Twellman would score in the 41st minute, then freshly-repaired Pat Noonan scored the tying aggregate goal sum, 2-2, during the 58th minute.

After the remainder of the match and accompanying twin 15-minute overtime periods went scoreless, the match came down to the crowd-pleaser: the shootout.

Matt Reis set the tone by stopping Thiago’s first shot, then would later score mano-a-mano against his counterpart Matt Pickens on the Revs second shot. Another stop, this one on the testosterone-challenged Ivan Guerrero would give way to Taylor Twellman’s match-clinching goal to send the Revs to the Eastern Conference Final, opponent and venue TBD. And with U2’s “Elevation” beating on my ear drums, the most exciting sporting event ever attended by yours truly came to an adrenaline-filled conclusion, as the Revs – MY REVS – came out the victors on this late-October evening.

Voice hoarse, legs sore from jumping up and down, and shoulder muscles pulled from pumping my fist, and I return here, to my personal computer, still catching my breath from all that took place mere hours ago. The exhiliration, joy, tension, optimism, madness, anger (stemming from the finest officiating job I’ve ever witnessed) and ultimately, sheer ecstacy is still running through my veins as I type this well past the witching hour. If I could have stayed and camped out in section 102 just to soak up the match even more, I would have have called my dad to bring my comfy pants and pillow.

I’ve never been a part of such an event. Ever. In my twenty-five years on this planet, the only other moment that comes close was when I witnessed my Red Sox first World Series win in 86 years on live TV with ten of my closest friends. But in terms of live events, this match – this soccer game, this sport I repudiated at this time last year – has caught hold of me like an unfortunate field mouse in the clenches of a vulture. So thrilling an event that I am somewhat concerned I may replay this entire match in my slumber tonight, with an occasional shout of “NO!!!” (officiating), “YES!!!” (Revs goals), “C’MON MATTY REIS!!!” (Shoot-out) eminating from the corner of my room. I’m wondering whether some crude soundproofing of my room may be in order.

In closing, I finish this entry to you my dear readers, by stating that, after enduring the most emotion-filled 120 minutes of sport (and then some, including stoppage time and the shoot-out) of my life, I cannot get enough of this. I speak to you, a member of the recently converted, that I LOVE THIS GAME.

I LOVE THIS SPORT.

I LOVE THIS TEAM.

I want to sleep.

I can’t.

Oh, the weather outside may be frightful…

Given the time in which I pen this entry (10:39am to be exact), one can assume that the Revs are on the training pitch preparing for Saturday night’s 2nd-leg playoff match vs. Chi-town. Although the conditions at this moment can be deemed “seasonable” (51 degrees and sunny), New England’s infamous weather plans to wreak its usual Autumn havoc come Saturday night, which local forecasters have painted rainy, cold and windy, with a gametime temperature of 42 degrees – perfect conditions for what promises to be a slug-fest, balls-to-the-wall battle of a match.

One question that has yet to be answered is Clint Dempsey’s status come Saturday night. Dempsey, you may recall, pulled up lame on the follow-through of his 78th minute shot on goal last Sunday. In obvious pain, he signaled toward the New England bench to the effect of “switch it up”, indicating he was injured badly enough that a substitution was necessary. The following day, the report on Dempsey’s injury was that he sustained a sprainked ankle, but gave no indication as to his availability for the following weekend match.

If anything, should Dempsey take to the chewed-up, gridiron-painted Gillette Stadium pitch come Saturday, amid the forecasted showers, please take a moment to embrace our superstar, as Deuce is likely taking his footballing skills to the English countryside this winter. We have been spoiled by his uncanny knack for not only scoring goals, but ogling defenders with his bedazzling moves. Should this indeed be the last time we see Deuce grace the home pitch, be sure to give him a hearty send-off worthy of the talent, skills, and flair he’s shown us over the past three seasons.

*As a follow-up to my previous entry regarding Shalrie Joseph’s (ridiculous) suspension, Andrew Hush of Soccer New England reports on manager Steve Nicol’s response to the banishment of his star midfielder. Among my favorite lines:

“The general feeling amongst the players is of disgust and I would expect they would have enough fire in our belly that we would want to beat Chicago anyway. They will certainly have a wee bit extra now.”

HERE HERE!

You Can’t Get What You Want – Unless You Cry to MLS

I have been drawn to my computer this morning after dusting off the soapbox to state my utmost displeasure with the news that our distinguished midfielder, Shalrie Joseph, has been suspended by MLS for the upcoming Saturday night playoff match for his actions during Game 1 at Chicago. You may be wondering “what actions?” You, my friend, are not alone in asking that very question.

The incident which provoked this laughable response stems from foul called on Joseph during Sunday’s match, in which the Fire player Ivan Guerrero, a man of limited height at 5′ 7″ (and well within easy reach of an errant elbow to the face, to this observer), was pressing against Joseph for the ball, to which Joseph inadvertently brushed said player with his elbow. The referee (who was about to call a foul on Guerrero, in fact) allowed play to continue. For all intents and purposes, the case should be closed.

Well, it seems this action infuriated the Fire manager Dave “Cry baby” Sarachan enough to turn this into a federal case and have the MLS review the incident. MLS responded in kind with its inifinite wisdom that Mr. Joseph be banned from participating in Saturday’s critical playoff match for his actions, leaving the Revs without one of their best players at their disposal.

Justice? Look no further than the facts surrounding the circumstances to form your own conclusions. Joseph, listed at 6′ 3″ in the Revs media guide, and the player covering him in the aformentioned scenario, Guerrero, is listed at 5′ 7″. A careful review of the play will ultimately lead unbiased eyes to form one conclusion: it wasn’t malicious, but rather, accidental. No card was issued to Joseph on the play – the referee allowed play to continue, in fact. And with that, the window for any possible actions or measures taken on this one play should have been shut tight, locked, with shade pulled over.

Apparently, the MLS doesn’t subscribe to the theory of backing its own officials. No, the MLS is beyond this petty theory because it issued Joseph a suspension on a play to which not only the referee had a clear view on, but a play to which was immediately addressed by said referee by allowing play to continue. The debate for this play should have ended right then and there.

But it didn’t. Because, as we all know, there will always be a conosseuir of sour grapes lurking whenever competition is involved, and our obligatory sour grape aficionado is one Dave Sarachan. Mr. Sarachan obviously subscribes to the theory of getting what one wants. And to his credit, MLS is sypathetic to his cry, since Mr. Sarachan is also the force behind the 2-game suspension (later reduced to one game) of our hip-hoppin’, you don’t stoppin’ Clint Dempsey, who must have ruffled a few feathers in Chicago during his July 8 match vs. the Fire. Water under the bridge, one may say. But one must also look toward this recent history to recognize the truth of the “once is an aberration, twice is a trend…” proverb in pertinence to this situation.

And it’s one thing to have a bitter coach kicking and screaming like an oft-picked on, pig-tailed schoolgirl, but for the league to cater to this nonsense is ridiculous. How a governing body can be so easily swayed by the rants and raves of one coach, time after time, is an utter joke. The farce that is the MLS has become so enamored with this coach’s vehement protest of such non-calls that it fails to see the unfairness in its distribution of its own heavy-handed suspensions and fines. The MLS, for all intents and purposes, with its appease-the-crybaby attitude in circumstances such as these, has become the pacifier to the collective babe’s (see: Dave Sarachan) mouth. Instead of backing its own on-field officials (and thus upholding the integrity of their calls), MLS instead undermines its own referees, leaving the validity of the calls made by the on field officials to be put into question.

Let me make this very clear: I am for American soccer, and I am thankful we have a professional league stateside to showcase some of the country’s best soccer talents. I am not only for the Revs, but for the United, Galaxy, all the other clubs that participate in this league (the Fire…not so much) because I want soccer to succeed here. But I am NOT for the way in which this league operates and self-governs, as well as the lack of discretion it displays when reprimanding its best talent. That’s not for me to say that Shalrie and Deuce should be given free passes on blatant fouls – by all means, fine/suspend them when necessary, so long as the 1. the punishment fits the crime, and 2. such fines and suspensions are levied evenly across the spectrum.

The league should be a showcase of its own cultivated talent. Instead, it has become a tyrannical body that doles out punishments arbitrarily to some of its best talents and falls to its knees at the whim of one disgruntled manager. It should be no wonder that stars like Dempsey wish to take their game overseas, to a much more respectable venue where they can further their soccer careers without the fear an ever-bending and spineless federation dispensing backroom justice.

The Failure Cookie Theory

So with the 0-1 result behind us, I can only ascertain as to what may have caused the Revs, who had more scoring chances yesterday than Colin Farrell at Guiness-sponsored afterparty, to come up empty-handed, or should I say, empty-footed (-5 IQ points).

The Chinese presented us with the wisdom and guidance of the ancient fortune cookie. This wafer of a cookie, containing within it a specific and unique fortune to each individual that unlocks its mystical acumen, has been regarded in some circles as the be-all, end-all of good fortune.

I present to you, my dear readers – all eight of you – the failure cookie, and the accompanying theory of. Unlike its fortuitous counterpart, there is no message of enlightenment contained within this cookie. Rather, it is just your simple, run of the mill cookie – at first glance. Its disguise is ingenious, as it blends well in with other non-descript and powerless cookies. Now before you laugh, then ask for a urine sample, I implore you to hear me out.

The failure cookie itself is a magically delicious shortbread baked morsel that is so tasteful and rich that, upon first bite, one may wonder whether these cookies were, perhaps, created in Heaven. This is the first sign of its enormous power – the ability to decieve the consumer. They are so delicately scrumptious that the potential danger in these alleged-heavenly charms is often masked. That being said, I give you my testament to these powerfully corrupt cookies.

Saturday, October 21 – Providence, RI. The Richmond Ged Sox (yes, GED SOX) baseball team prepares for battle in Game 7 of…of…whatever league we play in to which we will become champions should we win this game. Our captain, Jesse Lee, had told us that we will “romp” all over our unworthy opponent, $haus (or The $haus). However, no less than five minutes after his pre-game address, a female fan of ours presented us with delightful lemon-creme shortbread cookies, which were quickly dispersed among each player. As we consumed these cookies, Jesse rhetorically asked upon his 2nd cookie, “Where did these cookies come from? Heaven?” (Cue the obligatory sound of thunder when such ominous comments are made prior to an unfavorable outcome).

Though heavily favored, we lost the game, 11-7. I myself, after digesting a pair of these so-called heavenly wafers, proceeded to go 0 for 5, with three strikeouts. This is the only occurence I’ve ever struck out three times in a game, nevermind been held completely hitless. At a loss for the unexplainable result, I later conceive that it must have been something that took place prior to the game that jinxed us and tilted the scales out of our favor prior the game. Something out of the realm of common understanding. Something…something like…cursed cookies, or failure cookies, if you will. Yes, this was the only plausible explanation for our soured efforts Saturday afternoon. Of this, I am convinced.

Now translating that to what happened Sunday afternoon in Bridgeview, IL, with the Revs on an unbeaten streak (5-0-2 in the previous seven matches) heading into the match, it would be safe to say that their shortcoming can only be attributed to shortbread. Cursed shortbread, that is. Although I cannot confirm that any player actually consumed the variety of cookie in question, I can only speculate this as the reasoning for the loss after I myself was hexed by the damned delight this weekend.

With that, I feel confident our lads will attain the necessary goals required for advancement come Saturday night…

…so long as they away from any pre-game cookies.

Game 1 EC Semifinal Journal

So as I sit back and get myself situated for the Revs-Fire match this afternoon, I decide to pen my thoughts throughout the match(which is not easy to do on my spare room recliner). White Revs jersey, check. Glass of uncaffeinated soft drink, check. Let’s go!

Rob Stone reporting that it’s a balmy 35 degree at game time in Bridgeview, IL.

0:43 – Joe Franchino looks like he had his hair recently trimmed.

1:42 – Ugh!!! Steve Ralston takes a clear shot at Fire keeper Matt Pickens. So far, the pressure is being put on the Fire defense early.

3:52 – Shalrie Joseph sighting! And he wearing a huge “cast” of sorts over the right paw to protect him from furthering the injury he suffered on his hand. Looks like a white boxing glove. If I were a Fire defender, I’d stay a good five feet away from him just to avoid any possible contact with that club.

4:54 – Revs are putting together a good attack, and setting the offensive tempo early.

5:03 – Sideline report from Brandi Chastain, my mom’s favorite soccer player. Rhetorical question: Is it a pre-requisite that one have to be of the fairer gender to be a sideline reporter? Anyway, she is praising the efforts of one Andy Dorman, to which ABC commentators Rob Stone and Eric Wynalda continue to sing the “Underrated Andy Dorman” hymn for the next three minutes.

8:00 – Here we go! Revs on the attack…but come up empty-handed.

11:26 – Now the Fire set their offensive attack, and Avery John does well to break up the ball from a charging Fire forward.

12:01 – I know I’m a soccer newbie and all, but did the Fire just get caught offsides on a corner??? Wow. How does a club manage that? Embarrassing.

14:43 – Fire take a direct kick, and Matty Reis smothers the ball. Meanwhile, Andy Herron tries to take a swipe at the cradled ball, to which Reis takes exception to after almost getting Adam Vinatieri’d in the face. Yellow card: Herron.

17:21 – Beautiful pass by Clint Dempsey behind the leg to Heaps, but no shot on goal. Wynalda then speaks about how Deuce plays cocky on the pitch. This is a good thing, I am told.

20:03 – Fire attack, and once again, Avery John to the rescue.

21:10 – Matt Reis looking like the Matt Reis that SHOULD have won MLS Keeper of the Year. Call me a homer. Go ahead. Troy Perkins sucks. Matty Reis is better.

21:34 – Fire attack on a chip shot by Justin Mapp (who is sporting the ubiquitous playoff beard) that just clears the cross bar.

23:23 – Sideline report: Brandi tells us at length why Shalrie is wearing a club on his right hand. Had I not been informed, I may have thought that the cumbersome protector was just something worn for superstition. Thanks, Brandi.

26:01 – Weak foul called on Deuce. The accompanying free kick is defended well by the Revs.

27:30 – Great cross block by Michael Parkhurst! Fire continue to attack on the Revs end of the pitch. Guys! Get it outta there!

28:03 – Great cross from Joey to Deuce, but the shot goes well above the goal.

29:57 – Parkhurst has been the early defensive hero thus far. Continues to clear each and every Fire ball (get it? Fireball? eh…) that comes his way.

31:01 – Nice stop by Reis on a Nate Jacqua shot. If I spelled that wrong, it’s because I don’t have enough respect for him to spell his name right. That’s not true. I just felt like saying that. Anyway…

32:02 – I love live soccer on TV because you can make out a few choice words uttered by the crowd, coaches, and players. Screw the FCC!

33:14 -Switch to the Pats game real quick. They lead 14-3, 1:55 in the first quarter. Let’s hope that the Foxboro fairy dust encompasses the Revs as well on this mid-Autumn afternoon.

34:29 – No sooner do I finish that sentence than the Fire score on a Justin Mapp free kick! (Expletive!)(Expletive!)(Expletive!)(Expletive!) You gotta be (Expletive!) kidding me! (Expletive!)

35:27 – Replay shows Dorman, who was situated in the Revs wall, shy away from Mapp’s free kick goal. Wynalda tears the Revs a new one on this poor effort by the lads to jump up and block the shot.

35:52 – ARGH! Ralston cross JUST misses the many Revs players in the box.

37:16 – Avery John gets yellow carded.

38:24 – We’ve got a smoke bomb in the stands right behind Matt Reis’ goal, with orange smoke encompassing a good part of the Revs side of the field. Obvious advantage, the Fire. Wynalda loves it.

41:09 – Revs trying to mount an attack. C’mon guys! Equalizer before the half!

42:05 – Deuce creates another great pass to Dorman, who puts the shot on goal. Save, Pickens.

43:22 – CJ Brown gets cleated by Joey – doesn’t look intentional, but he’s taking his time getting back to his feet.

45:00 – Three minutes stoppage time.

45:00 – End stoppage time. Switch to see the Pats-Bills score. Asante Samuel, on cue, picks of JP Losman. Pats continue to hold their 14-3 lead in the waning minutes of the 2nd half.

HALFTIME – Cook myself up an english muffin, roast beef sandwich, accompanied by a Washington’s Finest apple. Best apples ever. Mom brings home a Belgian waffle from brunch. I take a bite of the cold speciment. Chewy.

2ND HALF – Take my place back on the recliner, sandwich and muffin to my right.

45:01 – Twellman to Dempsey as 2nd half is underway. Half of an english muffin in my mouth as I write this.

45:48 – Noshing, while diarying (?) a soccer game imparticular, is hard. Food all over the place. And I’m wearing a WHITE Revs jersey. Recipe for disaster.

46:40 – Shot of Pat Noonan on the sidelines. By the way, where can I get that spiffy Revs heavy jacket he’s wearing? Note to self: add this jacket, if available for purchase, to my Christmas list.

48:42 – Dorman crashes the goal, cleared by a Fire defender.

49:05 – Corner kick for NE, picked off by…Pickens (it was just a matter of time before I got to say that. IQ drops -5 points)

50:00 – Good job by Shalrie to keep the ball in the Fire zone. Keep pressin’ Revs!

50:26 – Brandi’s sideline report. She asks Nicol is Noonan will play. “No.” Damn!

51:37 – Wynalda comments on Matty Reis’ baldness, and the keeper’s influence of Jose Manuel Abundis’ newly shaven dome as well.

53:19 – Revs really need to mount something here. The chances are there, they just need to capitalize. Btw, nothing like commercial-less playoff action. Thanks RadioShak!

54:03 – Joey into the offensive zone…ball in box…nothing doing.

55:53 – Yellow card for Shalrie on an unfortunate Fire defender that gets a “nice to meet you” from Sharie’s elbow.

57:24 – Reis comes waaaaay outta goal to press the ball back up the field. Oh man…

59:30 – Fire on the attack, and Reis comes up with a big save.

60:33 – Fire’s Chris Robinson gets carded for taking down Twellman. TNT slow to his feet, heads over to the bench.

62:09 – Taylor’s back!

63:01 – Dempsey…cross to Twellman who takes a fine looking header right on goal. Unfortunately, the ball and Pickens have a date on this one.

63:55 – Revs begin to show spark on offense…and no sooner do I write this than the Fire take the ball away and begin to press on the counterattack.

66:40 – Shot of the sideline shows Danny Hernandez being briefed by Nicol. Looks like he’ll be going in soon. $20 says he goes in for Joey.

68:05 – …and goodbye $20. Larentowicz out, Hernandez in.

69:59 – Shot by Joey, saved by Pickens.

72:17 – Ugh!!! Twellman, right in the box, fakes a defender 5 feet from the side of the goal, but can’t put the ball on goal.

73:53 – Give and go Dempsey to Ralston…nothing there.

74:46 – Chances are there for the Revs, but can’t capitalize.

75:35 – Khano Smith in, Joey out.

77:15 – Deuce fires a shot from a tough angle, just misses right, and hurts himself going down after the shot. Crap. This can’t be good. He’s limping, and in obvious pain. (expletive!)

79:52 – Fire look content to just hold on to their 1-0 lead.

80:50 – Shot of Deuce on the sidelines, wearing a heavy jacket. He’s done. (expletive!)

81:01 – Abundis in for Deuce. Looks like he and Reis have the same barber.

82:04 – Free kick, Ralston…which finds Shalrie, but, once again, nothing doing.

84:48 – Brandi reports Deuce has a sprained ankle. Let’s hope he’s ok for Saturday night, we’re gonna need him.

85:52 – I’d like this match more if the REVS COULD ACTUALLY GET ON THE BOARD!!!

86:53 – Avery John throws it in. Wow are the Fire fans loud!

88:15 – Fire on the attack, and their shot is deflected out. C’mon REVS!!!

89:29 – Frustration. Revs have chances, but can’t find the back of the net.

90:00 – 3 minutes of stoppage.

91:00 – Chicago mounts an attack.

92:13 – “Andy! (expletive) steal it!” in an Irish accent overheard. Maybe Nicol imploring Dorman to steal something?

92:54 – Free kick, Revs. Last chance to do something. Ralston crosses to Khano, who takes a great shot on net, but is denied.

93:12 – That’s it. It’s OVA…O-V-A. Dammit.

EPILOGUE – Switch the channel to espn2, and they’re showing “Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos.” Briefly puts a smile on my face, even though I already own the DVD – which I highly recommend.

Once upon a time ago, my 8th grade teacher implored my classmates and I to draw and cut out life-sized paper dolls portraying what we wanted to do when we grew up. Amid the doctors, veterinarians, chefs, and teachers stood a 5′ 1″ paper cut out of a Boston Bruins forward. That was mine. At the time, I could think of nothing more than being a left wing for the black and gold in another 12 years. Of course, like so many things over the course of twelve years, things change.

So why am I reminiscing about hockey on a Revolution blog? Because it occured to me that, during Saturday night’s match, which drew a season-high 19,166 fans, the Revs could actually outdraw the B’s home opener Thursday night. You know, the same B’s that proclaim Boston as “The Hub of Hockey”. To think that ten years ago, the thought of the soccer team outdrawing THE Black and Gold would have been downright blasphemous.

Well my friends, the poppycock of such a thought is now very real. The mighty mighty Bruins were outdrawn (17,565) by the Revs this past week. In fact, as Frank Dell’Apa has reported, the final three matches of the season drew an average of 17,527, contrary to past seasons where Revs attendance usually dips as they head into the final weeks of the season.

This leads to one very plausible scenario: the Revolution becoming Boston’s unofficial fourth team. The Revs have been blessed with five consecutive playoff berths, a state of the art home venue, and core of talented players. And although I had previously pointed out the lack of media coverage given to them, the Revs have seemingly gone quietly about their business by putting together a solid foundation that provides affordable, family-friendly sports entertainment. So while the costs of attending a Bruins, Sox, or Pats games for Mom, Dad & the Kids soar well into the hundreds of dollars, your typical family of four can attend a Revs match for under $70 during a number of promotional “Family Nights” that take place during the season.

Many die-hard Bruins fans may give me the ol’ one-fingered salute as their rebuttal, and I can’t blame them. How dare soccer outdraw hockey. Hockey! The Hub of Hockey, cried a voice! The Bruins have been an institution since the 1920s, and their popularity in ’70s, during the Orr, Esposito and Cheevers era, was at an all-time high. They, along with the Celtics, were both the toasts of Beantown. The Red Sox? A perennial joke. The Patriots? That backward former AFL team was more three-ring circus than professional football.

My, oh my, have things changed.

As a former die-hard Bruin fan myself, I can tell you I have been soured by the Bruins front office, with their apparent complacency to cut costs, hope for a playoff berth, and fill the honey mustard yellow seats of the TD BankNorth Garden.

Sure, new management is in place this year that has seemingly refocused its intent on not only winning games, but winning back its fans as well. Like the ex-girlfriend that was nice at first, but stopped cooking, cleaning, scheduling your college courses, washing your clothes, etc, the Bruins have made themselves over, and now, NOW they care about you, and your needs. But it’s too late. You’ve found a much prettier damsel. A damsel that never told you to get off your lazy butt on Sunday afternoon and fix the kitchen sink. No more salisbury steak – I’ll have the prime rib.

So with that, I drive along Route 1 in Foxboro, with the Bruins in the rearview mirror of my Acura, on my way to meet up with my new girlfriend in Foxboro.

*Frank Dell’Apa is reporting that both Pat Noonan and Shalrie Joseph are good to go for Sundays playoff match vs. Chricago.

*And no sooner do I complain about the lack of coverage given to the Rves by the Providence Journal, Shalise Manza Young presents us with her take on the upcoming playoff match. You may have to log into the Projo website to read the article.

*Finally, a funny mention of how the Bruins are now battling the Revs for their share of the pie in the New England sports landscape. Boston.com writer Eric Wilbur states that “the Bruins will remain regressed as a niche sport in the region, competing with the Revolution for the entertainment dollar, never mind the Red Sox and Patriots. ” You can read the full article here.

I’ll be posting a follow up to tomorrow’s Game 1 playoff match…check back in to see what antics I may/may not pull all in the name of superstition, habit, or any other vice that I believe shall benefit our squad.

Media Coverage – or lack thereof

While the Revs finished out the regular season on a molten-hot unbeaten streak, the Providence Journal, the finest newspaper this side of South County, has devoted the equivalent of approximately one-half of a page to their recent winning ways.

I understand some of the reasoning – former Revs beat writer, Shalise Manza Young, who did a stellar job keeping up with Steve Nicol’s boys, was assigned to cover Foxboro’s other football team, the Patriots, in lieu of Tom Curran’s (former Pats beat writer) recent departure from the paper. All of this movement leaves the Projo without any local coverage of the Revs, save for the obligatory two paragraph summation and accompanying scoreline, courtesy of the Associated Press. In the words of the late Rodney Dangerfield “I tell ya, I can’t any respect!”

Add that to the fact that even the local news stations have been hard pressed to provide video highlights of recent matches and it’s enough to make this soccer newbie, so eager to absorb as much soccer info as possible, raise his fist in the air, cursing the producers of these so-called newscasts.

Of course, the spotlight will shine back brighter should our beloved Revolutionaries reach the Conference Final, or dare I say it, the MLS Cup Final. I vaguely remember this was the case last year, although I’m not certain, since I wasn’t paying attention at this point last year.

In any event, this lack of coverage often makes me wonder whether this team isn’t respected enough by the media. I know soccer isn’t the sports conglomerate it is overseas and abroad, but something has to be done to address this. The outstanding coverage provided by revsnet.com, Espnsoccernet, and the Boston Globe website, in my opinion, make up for the lack of coverage from Projo, local news, and other media outlets.

I suppose with success, comes attention. If there were anything else at stake come November 12th MLS Cup date (should the Revs reach this peak), it would be the added fanfare that would come along with being a champion of a national professional sports league. As a newcomer to the sport myself, I can only hope that the interest level warrants more extensive local media coverage for our Sierra Mist-sponsored soccer lads in the future.

Supplementary Non-Revolution Related Banter

In a startling development, I must inform you that I lied to you, the reader, by ending my last entry stating that my next entry would be Revolution-related. Well, it isn’t. I offer my most insincere apologies because 1. it’s my blog, and I can do whatever I want. I am the editor in chief, head writer, and lead contributor and the editor in chief persona runs a loose ship around here, and 2. to clear up some confusion you may experience while reading this blog. Semantics, if you will.

Let me tell you that in light of recent soccer-themed film viewing, which include “Goal! The Dream Begins” (liked it alot), and “Miracle Match” (wanted to like it more than I did), I have been constantly tripping over myself when referring to the World’s Game. I find myself sometimes calling it “football”, and other times calling it “soccer.” Obviously, “football” makes the most sense, but I must admit I get confused glares when I talk about the football being played in Europe, and it has nothing to do with NFL Europe.

I first stumbled upon the multiple references during the World Cup, when I constantly remarked how great a “football match” was being played while watching USA-Italy during pool play. When I think of the word “soccer”, I think of the game being played among boys and girls at recreational parks and fields where the parents coach, the goalposts are net-less (as they are here in the fine municipality that is East Providence), and clutter of kids surrounding the ball always brings out a small chuckle in me. When I think of “football”, I think of European league action, Man United, Chelsea, Benfica, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, etc. Grittiness, ruthless tackles, banana-arched crosses, crisp passes and cannon shots on goal. In a weird, nonsensical way, “soccer” is played here in the States, while “football” is played overseas and in other countries.

On the same tangent, you may have found that I sometimes refer to the contests as “matches” and “games”. The same reasoning applies. I think of a game like baseball, basketball and football, and since these contests are coined “games”, I say “soccer game” out of pure habit. I’m trying to create the appearance that I am indeed a soccer/football fan by saying “match” rather than “game.” No, I’m not trying to be phony, but rather, simply educated on this great sport. And while I traverse between the two, I offer my apologies if you happen to care about those kinds of things. And by the same token, I use both “field” and “pitch.” I want to call the grassy area where the match is played a “pitch” all the time, but out of habit, sometimes refer to the pitch as the “field.”

Semantics, semantics.