Unfortunately, 6S1B has been around to cover roughly none of it. Frankly, I’ve been completely exhausted by my current day job and when I have gotten the opportunity to write (which has been rare), it’s been about the Red Sox over at my personal blog. When 6S1B was at its peak, I was able to cover everything very quickly. Unfortunately, that was the product of the life of leisure afforded an unemployed undergrad.

Well, come September I will be a sometimes-employed grad student and aim to be back to it with the site. We’ll be back regardless, but as I’ve noted, I could really use some help to put the site over the top. So if you want to do some writing for us or if you know somebody who might like to, please, please feel invited to contact me at adamtvaccaro@gmail.com. If instead you’re just here to read, that’s great and I definitely appreciate it, but without help the site probably won’t be top notch. In such a case, it will probably be mostly opinion and columns with game stories mixed in, but we’ll deal with that when the time comes — I’m thinking out loud a bit.

In any case, the nature of this post is just to inform all of you that we’re not done and we will be back, and to ask you to stay tuned. We were doing very well for a while and we appreciate all of the support. Keep it coming in the next couple of months because we definitely plan to get back to it.

See you in the fall.

-Adam

1) Become this year’s FC Dallas. Last season, the Hoops started 1-6-1, and were floundering near the bottom of both the Western Conference and overall league tables. The team didn’t win consecutive games until August. But then, Jeff Cunningham went on a tear, the midfield found its stride, and the defense tightened up just enough to leave FCD in control of its own destiny going into the season’s final fixture. While the team ultimately failed to make the playoffs, it did make everyone’s list of teams to watch in 2010 (a mantle they’ve worn admirably so far this year). A similar end to the Revs season would be reason to believe good things might be in store for 2011.
How it saves the season: This should  be self-explanatory, but a return to the playoff chase — even if the club fails to make the playoffs — would bring some excitement and winning soccer back to Foxborough, which is always a good thing, regardless of the standings.
Chances it actually happens: 10 %. This may actually be a generous estimate considering how bad the team have looked lately. Still, I’d say it’s not impossible, especially if Steve Nicol is able to find a consistent lineup.

2) Win SuperLiga. The Revs have a history of success in this competition. They won the whole thing in 2008, and followed that up by finishing top of their group in 2009 before losing to Chicago in the semifinals. Perhaps more importantly, the team has never lost a game or even a point to a Mexican opponent in SuperLiga (they’re a perfect 5-0-0). No other MLS side can claim such an impressive record. Of course, none of that translates to success in this year’s edition, but it should give the team confidence going into its opening match against Pumas UNAM on July 14.
How it saves the season: I’m of the opinion that no season in which your team earns a trophy can be declared a failure. It could be considered disappointing, perhaps, especially if expectations were high, but I don’t think the 2010 Revs fit that category. A win in SuperLiga would be a welcome bright spot in an otherwise dark season.
Chances it actually happens: 30 %. Maybe this seems high, but how many times in soccer have we seen a team that’s struggling in league play suddenly make a run in cup competition? Given their track record in SuperLiga, the Revs could be one of those teams.

3) Sign a Designated Player. With America’s soccer-awareness surging as it does during every World Cup, now is the perfect time for MLS teams to grab headlines by signing World Cup players. Of course, such signings are easier said than done, but the Designated Player rule is designed to improve the chances of such players landing in MLS. The Revs have two open slots that they could try to fill with an aging Portuguese-speaking player like Deco or Ze Roberto. They could even throw a ton of money at a recognizable American player (Clint Dempsey would get a hero’s welcome if he returned to Foxborough).
How it saves the season: The right DP signing provides an instant surge in the interest and excitement surrounding a team. It also improves the quality of the on-field product. Both would be welcome for the Revolution right now.
Chances it actually happens: 3 %. The Revs’ front office has said repeatedly that they’d like to sign a designated player if the situation is right (including on the team’s official blog Tuesday). Unfortunately, as the comments on that post make abundantly clear, they’ve given absolutely no indication that they intend to follow through any time soon.

4) Finalize plans for a soccer-specific stadium. I know I said it wasn’t essential just a couple of weeks ago, and I stand by that assessment. But there’s a difference between what’s necessary and what would generate excitement for a team that’s currently going nowhere. An announcement of specific plans for a SSS (with a building-site, a timetable, and some renderings) falls into the latter category. One need only look to the Revs closest geographic rival, the New York Red Bulls, for evidence of a new stadium’s ability to turn around the fortunes of a bad team.
How it saves the season: If nothing else, it would be some positive news, something for fans to look forward to. Even if this season never amounted to anything on the field, 2010 would be remembered as the year the ball finally began rolling on a new stadium.
Chances it actually happens: 5%. It’s more likely than a DP only because of the MBTA’s recent decision to move forward with its plans for a maintenance facility in Somerville. On June 28, Revs COO Brian Bilello said the team has re-launched its exploration of the site, but that doesn’t guarantee anything will happen soon, if ever.

From my CSNNE.com piece today:

The return of Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle to MLS action on Sunday also marked the LA Galaxy’s first match since before the World Cup. Twenty-seven thousand flocked to the stadium to welcome the duo home from South Africa, a mind-boggling 37.5 percent increase over the Galaxy’s 2010 average attendance coming into the match. On the field, the twice-teammates showed their camaraderie when Donovan assisted on a Buddle goal early in the 19th minute as the Galaxy improved to 11-1-3 on the season with a 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders FC. The hookup furthered Buddle’s and Donovan’s respective MLS leads in goals and assists, as each has now compiled 10 in his given category.

MLS attendance at large is up nearly 10 percent in 2010 from 2009, averaging over 16,442 fans a game. In fact, nine out of 12 teams to have hosted a match since the World Cup started saw attendance go up from its last pre-tournament figure. The Revolution, unfortunately, have seen a 19.9% drop in attendance from 2009 and draw just over 10.5 thousand to Gillette Stadium. At 3-9-2, the Revs currently look set to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2002, so that likely has something to do with the disappointing (and concerning) figure.

So what do we think? In 1998 and 2002, MLS attendance did not increase from pre-Cup to post-Cup, and in 2006 the improvement was minimal. But so far, 9 of 12 clubs have reported increases over their last match before the Cup and 8 of the 12 have reported increases over their 2010 average fan figure. And two of those sides still reported above average attendance compared to the rest of the league.

It’s too early to tell if this year’s World Cup has had an impact on MLS attendance figures, but the early signs are pretty positive.

What’s next for the Revolution? Is it time to punt the season? Is it worth punting a season in such a young league? How should the team manage the rest of 2010 and beyond?

Have at it.

6S1B is unfortunately unable to provide coverage for tonight’s match between the Revs and Real Salt Lake. Enjoy the match, and we’ll hopefully have a recap tomorrow. Apologies, and thanks for the continued support.

–Adam

There were a number of questions about the stadium, and I’m happy to say there has been some progress since the last round of public questions on the topic.

Getting the team into a soccer stadium of its own remains a top priority for our organization. With the decision regarding the MBTA’s Green Line maintenance facility in Somerville in place, we have re-launched the process of examining that area as a stadium site. We were in a holding pattern for a bit while the city and MBTA worked out the details of the facility. During the next few months our architects and engineers will be studying the area to determine if it is possible to build a soccer stadium on that site given the footprint of the maintenance facility and other existing structures.

In the last few months, we have also begun studying three additional sites around Boston’s metro core. These sites may not have been available to us in the past, but have recently shown potential interest in having our stadium.

To date, we have invested more than $1 million dollars in exploring new soccer stadium options, in addition to the efforts of multiple people in our organization, so we’re pressing the issue. We’ve seen the impact that an urban soccer stadium has made and we are committed to creating that environment here in New England.

While folks are sure to be skeptical of anything coming right from the top, Bilello’s directly mentioning Somerville as the primary site of interest may give fans a bit more hope than in the past. That’s the spot everyone’s had their eyes on and it seems to be the spot they want.

• Matt Reis started the game, making his 2010 MLS debut. Reis played the first half of the Revs’ exhibition against Cruzeiro back on June 13, but last night marked his return to league play. Reis missed the season’s first 12 matches after offseason rotator cuff and knee surgeries. Reis stopped 4 of 5 shots on goal but took the loss in the match.
• Revs’ third round pick and recent signing Jason Griffiths made his MLS debut after coming on in the 81st minute. Griffiths did participate in the Revs’ exhibition against Portugal’s Benfica earlier this season when he was on trial with the club, but last night marked the English midfielder’s first league match. Griffiths gave some chippy defensive play in the match’s final ten minutes. Said Griffiths: “I was kind of nervous coming in losing 1-0 and I was expecting an attacking player to go on but it was great to get on. It was a disappointing score but the boys tried hard and we can push on for next week and get a good result.”
• With Griffith replacing striker Zack Schilawski, Shalrie Joseph was pushed up top. Coach Steve Nicol explained: “When you’re getting into the last 10 minutes of the game and their sitting back and we’re getting desperate, we’re basically hoping Shalrie can get on the end of something.”

The Revolution are now 1-7-2 after a promising 2-1-0 start to the season.

The last time they’d seen the Revs in MLS play, though, there was little to get excited about. Before the league went on hiatus to grant the Yanks center stage, Steve Nicol‘s club hit rock bottom after a 3-0 loss in Seattle wherein they were outshot 19-2.

In returning to action at Gillette Stadium, the Revs again fell – this time 1-0 to the Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium – but did not look clueless in the process, at least.

The Revs outshot the Fire 22-13 and never looked outmatched.

But the reason for defeat can be tagged to what’s unquestionably become the team’s clear problem in 2010.

“We keep saying the same things every week,” Nicol said after the match. “The effort, endeavor, the spirit, you can’t fault that. But in the final third we just don’t have the quality required.”

If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Nicol delivers a similar assessment after nearly every match. And with good reason.

Indeed, in a game wherein the scoring of goals is tantamount to success, the Revs have now been held scoreless seven times in 2010 and three times in their last four matches. The Revs have scored all of 13 times in 13 matches.

It’s not as if they didn’t have their chances. Twice in the first half, an unmarked Zack Schilawski got his head square on the ball yards away from the goal line off of a set piece. The first was sent to the goal’s left, the second right up over the net. And in the 61st minute, Sainey Nyassi showed terrific control of the ball as he worked his way into Chicago’s box before sending an open shot wide right.

The opportunities were there. The finish? It just wasn’t.

“Whether it’s been the service into the box, or the finishing in the box, that’s where we’ve let ourselves down,” Nicol said. “When we do get a chance, we can’t finish it.”

Chicago collected its score in the 30th minute. Marco Pappa took advantage of a breakdown in the Revs’ defense and was able to move to his left, clearing himself of Shalrie Joseph, and give himself an open look. Keeper Matt Reis, making his return to league action after missing the season’s first half, got a finger or two on the ball, but he was unable to stop the good, strong shot. The score was Pappa’s sixth of the year.

“We can’t blame Matt,” Joseph said. “We have only ourselves to blame [for the goal].”

One defensive breakdown less and one finishing touch more and the Revs and their fans may be smiling this morning. Of course, that doesn’t make the loss any easier to swallow.

“It’s pretty disheartening to work that hard and to chase the game like that,” said midfielder Pat Phelan. “We dug ourselves in too deep of a hole and didn’t put chances away early.”

The Revs, now 3-8-2, will next face a very tough task. They return to action next Friday night against the defending MLS Cup Champions, Real Salt Lake (5-0-2) in Utah.

———————————-

SCORING SUMMARY

CHI – Marco Pappa (Dasan Robinson) 30

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

Matt Reis (GK), Chris Tierney (Kheli Dube 62), Cory Gibbs, Emmanuel Osei, Kevin Alston, Zak Boggs (Kenny Mansally 46), Pat Phelan, Shalrie Joseph (c), Sainey Nyassi, Marko Perović, Zack Schilawski (Jason Griffiths 81).Substitutes Not Used: Bobby Shuttleworth, Michael Videira, Nico Colaluca, Seth Sinovic.

STATS: Shots: 22; Shots on Goal: 6; Saves: 3; Corner Kicks: 13; Offside: 1; Fouls Committed: 9

CHICAGO FIRE

Andrew Dykstra (GK), Dasan Robinson, C.J. Brown, William Conde, Krzysztof Krol, Marco Pappa, Baggio Husidic (Peter Lowry 38), Mike Banner, Logan Pause, Brian McBride (c) (Stefan Dimitrov 83), Patrick Nyarko (Deris Umanzor 70). Substitutes Not Used: Sean Johnson, Corben Bone, Kwame Watson-Siriboe.

STATS: Shots: 13; Shots on Goal: 5; Saves: 6; Corner Kicks: 6; Offside: 4; Fouls Committed: 10

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

CHI – Willam Conde (caution) 47

Referee: Jair Marrufo
Referee’s Assistants: Kermit Quisenberry, James Conlee
Fourth Official: Jorge Gonzalez
Weather: Clear and 80 degrees
Attendance: 12,306

• Kenny Mansally replaces Zak Boggs in the midfield to start the second half. Mansally really needs to start showing what he’s got. We know he can have his flashes, but consistent quality has been lacking all season.
• I told myself I wouldn’t write this tonight, but there’s nothing else to write and it’s just too glaring to avoid saying anyway: It is tough on the eyes to shift from catching 2+ World Cup games a day to MLS play.
• Great stuff from Nyassi in the 61st minute. He couldn’t put the shot on target, but he was able to show some creativity in the attack leading to a shot, which shows some improvement on his usually too-straight ahead mindset.
• Kheli Dube‘s been brought in for Tierney, further bolstering the attack.
• Maybe a touch or two too much from Perovic after a Shalrie Joseph set-up just outside the top of the box gave him a pretty open look. After a couple dribbles, his bid was sent flying over the net.
• I think people would like Nyassi a lot more if he wasn’t so quick. He can go from box to box with the ball in no time but it always just ends up seeming like such a waste of time. He could be so dangerous but he needs to develop a better last touch, both when passing and shooting.
• Revs’ third round pick Jason Griffiths, signed just this week, comes in, marking his MLS debut. He’s on for Schilawski. Joseph takes a striker spot with Griffiths in the midfield.
• A really bizarre, inexplicable offsides call? Ah, there’s that World Cup quality.
• Dube puts a shot on net in the 84th minute. The striker’s still looking for his first goal of the season.
• Pat Phelan‘s played really well tonight as a defensive midfielder. He was getting burned consistently before the break, but seems to have some fresh legs after taking two weeks off.

That’s full time. The Revs fall 1-0 to Chicago. They’re 3-8-2 now on the year.

Back tomorrow with the write-up.


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