Revs Problems Reversed

The other day, my father and I fixed a leak in the wall surrounding the air conditioner in our kitchen during a pounding rainstorm. We positioned towels and buckets to catch the incoming water and covered a backboard-sized area of floor with flattened plastic bags to protect the wood. A few days later, we were watching a baseball game in the basement (not near the kitchen) when water began to drip from the ceiling above us.

Fix one problem and another leak springs up. Steve Nicol probably feels our pain.

The Revs struggled to score during the eight-game stretch without Clint Dempsey (World Cup Duty), notching more than one goal in a game only twice during that seven week period. Prior to missing Friday's match against Real Salt Lake on suspension (would it have been a suspension had it not come on the heels of the the Zinidincedent?), Dempsey's return had ignited the Revolution attack and led New England to three wins in four games.

But now that the offense started clicking, the Revs have sprung a leak at the back, allowing 7 goals in the last three games including three to the Colorado Rapids and three more to RSL in Friday's loss.

The porous defense against RSL is particularly alarming considering it happened in the friendly confines of Gillette Stadium against the worst team in the MLS. A week before their game against the Revs, RSL had looked inept at the back, clearing the ball poorly in a loss to the Galaxy. But the Revolution gave Salt Lake time and space and the visitors took advantage.

The first goal came when Revolution defenders backed off Jeff Cunningham, who had the ball at his feet on the left flank. With ample time, Cunningham picked out Chris Klein at the near post and he comfortably volleyed the ball pass Matt Reis. Later, Cunningham took on half of the Revolution team -- and won. He dribbled the ball from the left flank to the top of the area, lost midfielder Jeff Larentowicz with a hesitation move, and then pocketed a shot to the far post with three defenders diving in his way. To be kind, let's characterize that goal as "humbling" to the Revs back line.

New England will have to clean it up at the back in a hurry as they face a tough road test at Houston this Saturday. If Jeff Cunningham can steal through their back line with ease, you have to wonder what Brian Ching will be able to do.