Revolution 2010 Away Replica Jersey Revolution 2009 Replica Home Jersey Revolution Adidas 2009 Rain Jacket Revolution Youth FZ Hooded Sweat Jacket Reis D.C. RevsTV preview Revs score late to pull out 1-1 draw with United Postgame Quotes: Revs 1, United 1 Revolution vs.United Game Preview

That’s not intended as a dig at young Sims. I’m actually high on the Los Angelino’s ability and, once he can gain confidence, we could see him put his quickness and ball skills to good use for the Revs.

The reality is, however, that New England needs more than just Wee Willie right now. Starters Clint Dempsey, Pat Noonan, Daniel Hernandez, James Riley and Marshall Leonard are all still gone. Now captain Joe Franchino is out, as well. Avery John and Khano Smith would both certainly be welcome additions to the starting lineup, but neither is available.

Who knows? Maybe Guillermo Sims will start the game. No matter what, the decimated Revs can take heart from a few recent trends and events.

One is that they played United close two weekends ago at RFK Stadium. The goal D.C. scored was onside by a hair (if that) and the Revs were inches from scoring a couple of times. As the match progressed, New England asserted themselves and showed they could stand toe-to-toe with the first place Black-and-Red, even away from home at what’s always a difficult stadium to play in.

The Revolution also will be buoyed by the proverbial tie-that-felt-like-a-win in Bridgeview, Ill. this past Sunday night. Watching the Revs score two stoppage-time goals to earn the road point was a flashback to the 2005 season, when you felt the Revs were never out of any game.

In Sunday’s match - even though they were obviously short-handed - the Revs were the better team wire-to-wire. It would have been a crime had they lost. They had every right to feel hard done by from the lineman’s flag on the Andy Dorman goal that was taken off the board. But in the end, they maintained focus and the Revs’ collective will and determination ensured that a certain amount of karmic soccer balance was restored.

Dorman, who scored the tying goal in the 94th+ minute, played perhaps the match of his career. He got in behind the defense of several occasions, buried two of his chances, and tortured the Chicago defense all evening long. With Dempsey gone, Dorman has become a real attacking option out of the midfield and has looked so confident and dangerous on the ball that opposing defenses are giving him a new level of respect.

Jeff Larentowicz, meanwhile, though still green, has looked very much an MLS player. He did extremely well in his first career start and has displayed composure and toughness - qualities that will carry him a long way as a pro.  And, by the way, what a pass to Kyle Brown on that equalizing goal.

Taylor Twellman, meanwhile, scored a great goal in the match against the Fire and, now that the MVP is back on track, you just have that feeling that there are more goals where that came from.

Worth mentioning, too, is that Tony Lochhead got his first two MLS assists. All Tony needs to step it up is increased confidence. Getting on the score sheet should help him immensely in that regard.

So, despite all the personnel losses, the Revs can take heart. But back to this Saturday night’s opponent.

D.C. is the top team in MLS and in the Eastern Conference right now with seven wins, one loss and four ties - they’re eight points better than second-place Kansas City in the East, one point above Dallas in the overall league standings and a full 13 points ahead of the Revolution.

In Jaime Moreno, Alecko Eskendarian and Christian Gomez, D.C. has three of the best and most creative attacking talents in MLS, and Freddy Adu is becoming more and more of a weapon.

But I don’t think the Revolution - even shorthanded as they are - completely fear this team. Think about it. D.C. had to consider themselves fortunate to defeat New England two weeks ago and now they’re coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw at Los Angeles.

Against LA, D.C. took a first half lead through a Gomez stunner, then had chances to put the game away in the second half before conceding an 88th minute equalizer. Sure, it’s tough to go to The Home Depot Center and get a result, especially with the Galaxy rip-roaring to go after their recent coaching change. But what that score tells me is that D.C. is vulnerable, especially on the road.

I still say that the Revs’ midfield is better than D.C.’s - all things being unequal. Dorman and Shalrie Joseph are simply more dominant than Brian Carroll and Clyde Simms; without Benny Olsen, United lacks real bite in the middle of the park. I do give Gomez the edge over José Cancela, but it’s clear the Argentine Gomez hates playing anywhere near the sharp cleats of Joseph.

The biggest match-up is Steve Ralston - who played great against Chicago - versus Josh Gros. The big winger for D.C., Gros, is a real handful and not a good match-up for Rallie. As clever and crafty as the Revs’ veteran is, Gros is so physical and has such a good engine that he can keep Ralston pinned back in the New England defensive third for long periods. Last time out, Nicol switched Ralston back-and-forth on the wings in an attempt to free him up to get forward. It rarely worked.

As we’ve said prior to other decent D.C. - New England match-ups, there’s also more than a little spice in this game - these two teams don’t like one another very much. This game is one to watch, for sure. I think the depleted Revs can pull off a surprise.

Brad's Bulletpoints:

• Ralston vs. Gros - Someone in blue needs to put a body on Joshua to slow him down.
• Star Crossed - Troy Perkins has shown on more than one occasion that he can do himself in when coming off of his line. The Revs must test him.
• Home Cookin’ - Teams like D.C. and Chicago seem to have an...edge when playing at home. Let’s see if "events" flow in the Revs favor now that they’re back at Gillette Stadium in front of what promises to be a good crowd.

Prediction: New England 2, D.C. 1.