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Michael Parkhurst and the Revs take on Santos Laguna Sunday. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com). |
"I know nothing about [Santos Laguna]," said team captain Steve Ralston. "We are doing the exact same thing [as always]. The weekly practices have been the same. I am preparing the way I normally prepare. It's another game and we are going to try and go out there and try to win. Obviously Mexican teams play a little different style than most MLS teams. They pass and move really well. They are crafty and smart, so we need to be smart, follow runners, and not dive in too much."
The Revs’ defense, led by 2008 All-Star First XI selection Michael Parkhurst in the center, has recognized the team will need to adjust against Santos Laguna which is expected to play a 4-4-2 with fullbacks who frequently venture forward.
"It's something that we have to adjust to, for sure," said Parkhurst. "We have to get it sorted out and make sure that either one of our middle guys is getting out or our forwards are positioned wide, so we force them up the middle, which is our strong point. We have to adjust and we'll see how they are going to go at it and adjust from there."
But what could prove a problem for the defense should also prove an opportunity for the offense. With defenders pushing forward, space could open up for the Revs wingers, particularly the speedy Sainey Nyassi, on the counter attack.
"If they are going to attack, then they are going be vulnerable on the counter attack," said Parkhurst. "We feel like we have got some guys with some pace on the outside that can hopefully take advantage of that."
The coaching staff is calling for patience to begin the match and looking to feel out their opposition before taking any risks going forward.
"The most important thing for us is what we do," said coach Steve Nicol. "We'll go out and be solid and strong to begin with and see what we are facing. We are not going to go and do anything stupid and go and open the whole field up and let them at us. We'll be cautious to start and until we see what we are dealing with."
For some Revs, who have been involved with the United States' soccer rivalry with Mexico, such as Ralston formerly with the US National team, there is added pride on the line going up against Mexican opposition.
"There is always [added motivation against a team from Mexico]," said Ralston. "Whenever these games are played it is always a chippy affair to say the least and I wouldn't expect anything else on Sunday."
The match will mark the second time this year the Revs have faced a team from Mexico's Primera Division, having fallen 1-0 in a physical preseason friendly against Atlante. That should provide some helpful information to the team on what to expect Sunday.
"[It should provide some insight] just as far as their little tactics, falling, how they deal with the referee, and also how they get numbers behind the ball," said Parkhurst. "They can string 20 passes together. We can't get frustrated and we can't dive in."
The SuperLiga is just one of five major trophies the Revs were competing at the start of this season and the team is still in position to win all of them.
"[We take them] just one at a time," said Parkhust. "Whatever the next game is we are going out there and putting our best squad out there to win the game. It doesn't matter if it's the first team or the reserve team, whoever is out there we are going out to win the game. We want to win as many competitions as possible. It doesn't matter which ones. Hopefully we can win them all. We know that is going to be difficult with the amount of games, but we will give it our best."
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