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Kheli Dube and the Revs try to shake their losing streak tonight. (Photo credit: Joyce Furia) |
After a grueling schedule and a disappointing loss over the weekend, Revolution coach Steve Nicol opted to rest the majority of his regular starters in the team's midweek U.S. Open Cup Semifinal match against D.C. United. The 2007 Open Cup Champions paid for it with a 3-1 loss, ending their chance to defend their title. Saturday will be the test to see if that move pays off in league play as the Revs look to build their lead at the top of the standings after Chicago pulled within one point this week.
Though most of the Revs starters will have a full weeks rest, a few key players are unavailable. Shalrie Joseph is suspended for a red card he picked up last weekend, and Michael Parkhurst, who just returned from the Olympics, has been given the weekend off to recover. Meanwhile striker Kheli Dube is still injured and Kenny Mansally is likely out as well.
Taylor Twellman could also miss out after re-aggravating a hip injury, so the Revs may be very short on offensive options.
The Revs have faced San Jose once already this season, winning 2-0 in Foxboro. San Jose, however, despite their place at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, has improved in recent weeks. San Jose is unbeaten in their last four games and has added two creative offensive weapons in Englishman Darren Huckerby and former FC Dallas midfielder Arturo Alvarez. Both are capable of creating goals on their own and the two have 3 goals and 1 assist in a combined 4 games since joining San Jose.
With nearly two weeks since their last match, San Jose also has plenty of rest and very few injuries to worry about.
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