SoccerBlogs

By IVES GALARCEP

The red-hot Portland Timbers will look to keep their five-match unbeaten streak going at home tonight when they take on the New England Revolution (10:30pm, Univision Deportes).

The Revs are coming in off a confidence-boosting victory, but they take the field at Jeld-Wen Field without three starting defenders as injured centerback A.

The primary non-game related storylines are that Shalrie Joseph is facing the team with which he was one of the best midfielders to take the pitch in MLS. This is also the first match that Kevin Alston will miss while he steps aside and receives treatment for cancer. That is a much bigger tale than soccer.

Lee Nguyen and his Revolution teammates will be looking to score their first victory in the Emerald City in nearly four years on Saturday. (Photo: Kari Heistad/CapturedImages.biz)

Two weeks have passed since we last saw the Revolution in action, but that didn't mean it was all was quietin and around Norfolk County during the bye week.

It is a basement battle as the Eastern Conference bottom fish travel west to take in their rare visit to CenturyLink Field. The 1 PM match is on KONG 6/16 ((KIRO FM radio) as well as usual Spanish language TV and Radio. Enjoy the last home game for nearly a month as Shalrie Joseph plays against his old side.

As the Seattle Sounders sit with zero points they get their best opportunity for a win when they take on the New England Revolution, another team struggling as the season begins. Amid injuries and fitness the lineup for Seattle is in question. This is also true for the Revolution, but they have the biggest "injury of all.

Kevin Alston will return soon. (Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports)

The New England Revolution announced on Monday that defenderKevin Alstonhas taken an indefinite leave of absence from the team to undergo treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a rare but treatable form of leukemia.

Revolution defender Kevin Alston (left) has been diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, and will take an indefinite leave to undergo treatement. (Photo: Chris Aduama/aduama.com)

On Monday, the Revolution announced thatleft back Kevin Alston has chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and will take an indefinite leave of absence to undergo treatment.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By IVES GALARCEP

New England Revolution defender Kevin Alston will take a leave of absence from the team in order to undergo treatment for leukemia after being diagnosed withchronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).

Alston's treatment is not expected to require hospitalization.

The New England Revolution earned a hard-fought point tonight against Eastern Conference rivals Sporting Kansas City as they were able to deny the sky blues too many chances and ultimately and keep a clean sheet. Dominating possession, but failing to put anything significant on frame, the Revs settled for the draw and will now try to learn from their shortcomings as they look onward to their 2013 campaign.

IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE! IT'S REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY HERE! THE REVS' SEASON HAS STARTED!

Be sure to discuss the New England Revolution's upcoming victory (knock on wood) in the comments section below!

Lineups

Revolution: Matt Reis; Andrew Farrell, A.J. Soares, Jose Goncalves, Kevin Alston; Donald Smith, Clyde Simms, Kalifa Cisse, Juan Toja; Lee Nguyen, Jerry Bengtson

Bench: Shuttleworth, Barnes, Caldwell, Dorman, Rowe, Barrett, Fagundez

Fire: Sean Johnson; Steven Kinney, Jalil Anibaba, Austin Berry, Gonzalo Segares; Patrick Nyarko, Jeff Larentowicz, Joel Lindpere, Dilly Duka; Chris Rolfe, Sherjill MacDonald

Bench: Tornaghi, Videira, Paladini, Thompson, Atouba, Alex, Santos

In no particular order, here are ten pressing questions for the New England Revolution:

1. Who is Sainey Nyassi and what does he do?

He costs a pretty penny and due to injury, contributed minimally in 2012. Nyassi saw plenty of time in the playoff years of 2008 and 2009. Many assumed he'd be out of a job come this off season with a midfield boasting Lee Nguyen, Scott Caldwell, Juan Toja, Andy Dorman, Kalifa Cisse, Clyde Simms, Ryan Guy and Kelyn Rowe.

With the option on Florian Lechner being declined and Andy Dorman being re-signed, the New England Revolution's offseason is upon us. Looking ahead, the front office needs to prioritize where this team needs the most help and what method they should look at for attaining said help.

1.

Clyde Simms was our an of the Match on Saturday. (Photo: Chris Aduama/aduama.com)

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection).

The New England Revolution entered RFK Stadium on Saturday night hoping to play spoiler for D.C. United's playoff hopes, but instead they coughed up a first-half lead and fell to United by a score of 2-1. The loss finished United's sweep of the season series between the sides, and had the added effect of mathematically eliminating New England from playoff contention.

It's been a long, arduous ten match winless stretch, but at long last, it has come to an end. The New England Revolution got the gorilla off their back last Wednesday night and defeated Columbus 2-0.

The crazy part of it all? It was done with a few fresh faces, and some unsung heroes. With players injured, star players in limbo, and an upcoming FIFA International Break, Jay Heaps got creative, and it paid off in a big way.

Kevin Alston and the Revolution defense grabbed their second straight shutout on Wednesday. (Photo: Kari Heistad/CapturedImages.biz)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass – The Revolution used two second half goals to down the Columbus Crew and snap their 10-game winless streak – their longest since 1999. Striker Dimitry Imbongo slotted home his first MLS goal and Chad Marshall scored an own goal as the Revolution won for the first time since July 8th.

The Union midfield did well to silence Fernando Cardenas and the Revolution's midfielders. (Photo: Walter Silva)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. A game to forget for the both the New England Revolution and the Philadelphia Union. A dour 0-0 draw where neither team really showed a desire to score a goal or put the opponent on the back foot.

Shalrie Joseph will be back in Foxboro on Wednesday but as a member of Chivas USA. (Photo: Kari Heistad/CapturedImages.biz)

Get ready for all sorts of weird on Wednesday.

Less than a month after he was traded to Chivas USA, former club captain Shalrie Joseph makes his return to Gillette Stadium as a member of the Rojiblancos.

After every match this season, the staff here at The Bent Musket will be putting together player ratings. Ratings are on a 1-10 scale, with 5 representing a thoroughly average performance, and 6 a decent/capable showing. The final ratings will be averages of individual ratings from Corey Major and Brendan Schimmel.

Bobby Shuttleworth: Average rating - 4 (Steve 4, Corey 4)

Steve: Made some great saves, but on at least two occasions he came out and was beaten to the ball. Haphazard outing...Corey: Fine but numbers don't lie. He's 0-2 on the season.

Kevin Alston: Average rating - 4 (Steve 4, Corey 4)

Steve: Defensively o.

Bobby Shuttleworth: Average Rating - 5.25 (Corey 5.5, Abram 5)

Corey: I actually thought Bobby had a decent game, and I don't blame him for the goal, what with the weather and all. If anything, I'd like to see him work on keeping a cool head. I feel like he was really showing his frustration and that doesn't translate well to you backline in the heat of a game.

With the Revolution's 2012 season now firmly in the rear-view, we here at The Bent Musket decided to reflect on the season and each select our favorite starting XI from this past year. It wasn't the easiest task, but a fun an interesting exercise nevertheless. Selections include one goalkeeper, four defenders, four midfielders, two forwards, and three bench players.

By CASEY CANNON

Hello and Welcome to the Soccer by Ives Fantasy Corner – now in new spring colors! Every week I dig through statistics, news, and rumors to provide the reader with the kind of fantasy advice that only a tax expert can provide.

This week we have we have a player leaving for a while and a player returning.

The second legs of the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals are underway and it looks as if MLS is, yet again, on the verge of having all its teams knocked out before the final round. The LA Galaxy face Monterrey tonight after losing 2-1 at the Home Depot Center. Good luck to them.

Kevin Alston Takes Leave Of Absence From Revolution
Sad news, but it sounds like the outlook is good for Alston.

By IVES GALARCEP

With just one more game to go in the MLS season, and January fast approaching, it is time for U.S. Men's National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann to decide what he wants to do with the January national team camp, and whether he wants to hold one. And if he does decide to hold the camp, Klinsmann has to settle on the players he wants to bring in.

Word was received today via an official team press release that defender Kevin Alston has been diagnosed with a rare but treatable form of leukemia and has taken an indefinite leave of absence to undergo treatment.

"The Revolution fully supports Kevin as he begins treatment," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said.

Jay Heaps has been joined in Tucson this week by Rochester Rhinos head coach Jesse Myers and his staff to assist in the evaluation of those players currently in camp and to help determine who would benefit-for the Revs, the Rhinos, and the player himself-with a loan to Rochester. I've decided to apply my educated observations about the current roster and try to narrow down who might make the most sense to start off the season in New York.

After every match this season, the staff here at The Bent Musket will be putting together player ratings. Ratings are on a 1-10 scale, with 5 representing a thoroughly average performance, and 6 a decent/capable showing. The final ratings will be averages of individual ratings from Steve Stoehr, Corey Major, Matty Jollie, and Abram Chamberlain.

After every match this season, the staff here at The Bent Musket will be putting together player ratings. Ratings are on a 1-10 scale, with 5 representing a thoroughly average performance, and 6 a decent/capable showing. The final ratings will be averages of individual ratings from Corey Major, and Matty Jollie.

Kevin Alston is taking time away for soccer and for all the wrong reasons. The former All-Star was diagnosed with cancer (Official Revolution Blog). Chronic myelogenous leukemia is treatable and Alston is expected to return to play at some point.

"The Revolution fully supports Kevin as he begins treatment," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said.

When Revolution Head Coach Jay Heaps was faced with some difficult lineup problems down the stretch of the 2012 season, he did what some first-year managers may not have had the courage to do: approach a multi-year veteran to change positions for the betterment of the team.

Kevin Alston has been the cornerstone of the Revs defense in recent years, and while the pieces around him have changed quite a bit, it's almost been taken for granted that over the last few years you could pretty much just pencil him in at right back and expect a 90 minute performance.

It would have been fun to play spoiler in this one, especially because it's D.C. United. But, alas, I guess it wasn't meant to be at RFK Stadium this year. Nevertheless, I don't feel too upset after this one because I think the Revs did put in a pretty good shift on the whole. However, there were of course some pretty costly mistakes that ultimately did us in.