While New England enter Wednesday night's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play-in match at New York with several priorities, one goal takes precedence over all others.
Advance to seal a home date with Colorado in the final play-in round.
“The guys are going to take this game like it's a regular game,” Revolution midfielder Nico Colaluca told MLSsoccer before departing for New Jersey. “We're going to go out there and we're going to fight hard to get the win.”
Although New England certainly wants to continue onwards in the tournament, the Revs must weigh other concerns as they prepare to face the Red Bulls. The most pressing problem: the currently tattered state of an injury-plagued squad.
Fourteen players – including two goalkeepers – comprise the travel party for the match. Starting central defenders Darrius Barnes (right midfoot sprain) and Cory Gibbs (right quadriceps strain) joined the lengthy injury list after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Columbus and didn't make the trip, but Khano Smith (oblique injury) has shrugged off a knock suffered against the Crew to earn the opportunity to face his former club.
Revolution assistant coach Stephen Myles said New England needs to find a way to emerge from the match without incurring any further injury problems.
“I think that's vitally important,” Myles said. “That's there for everybody to see. We're just hoping – even during training, but especially through the games – to get out of there with too serious of an injury.”
The string of injuries also places a heavier burden on the remaining regulars because they will not have the opportunity to take this match off to prepare for San Jose's visit on Saturday.
“Within a week, you play two or three games,” Revolution midfielder Kenny Mansally said. “It's not very easy. You play 90 minutes, you rest for two days and then you play again. It's not an easy job. We're just going to work hard. Anybody who gets a chance to get in, you have to show that you want to be in there so you have a chance to stay in there.”
Mansally will almost certainly feature in the starting XI as Revs boss Steve Nicol looks to add some fresh legs to the tired squad. Nico Colaluca provides another fresh option in midfield, while backup goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth should also start and make his first appearance for the club.
This match gives those players – plus a few others hoping for more frequent duty in the starting XI – a chance to display their wares and press their case for more playing time, according to Myles.
“It's an opportunity for them to impress,” Myles said. “It's an opportunity for them to show us what they can do. Obviously, it's the Open Cup and it's not a league game, so I'd be surprised if [New York] put out a terribly strong side as well because everybody seems to be in the same boat. They've either got injuries or they've got upcoming games.”
One bright side for Revs is the eligibility of Colaluca, who won’t face a suspension for Wednesday’s match. Colaluca faces a one-game U.S. Open Cup suspension for a red card he received during the Revs’ loss USL-2 side Harrisburg City Islanders last year.
Play-in games, however, do not count as part of the Open Cup proper because they take place as a means of determining which eight MLS teams will advance to the tournament. Colaluca can play against New York and could feature in the final play-in match – a possible date with Colorado – before incurring the one-game suspension in the third-round tilt on June 29.
