I keep seeing stories and headlines about the New England Revolution beginning the “post-Shalrie Joseph era.”
And it makes me sad.
But nothing good last forever, I suppose. Otherwise Steve Carell would have never left The Office and Facebook wouldn’t have jumped the shark and developed all those, uh, “trust issues.”
Tonight at Gillette Stadium, Joseph’s former team moves on, facing Sporting Kansas City in a match that means something completely different for both teams.
For New England, this is a new day – and the Revs can’t waste a single point in the playoff chase. They last made the playoffs in 2009, and if they can’t win most of the home matches going forward, Jay Heaps’ remodeled side will miss for a third consecutive season.
Sporting Kanas City is in a goofy spot. Peter Vermes’ team is close enough to top to still believe an Eastern Conference crown is within reach. But they are close enough to other end of the playoff heap (now in third, too close for comfort to the fifth and final spot) that things could still go all pear shaped.
Tumbling out of playoff grace isn’t likely. On the other hand, Sporting is winless in its last three league matches (and its last five overall, including friendlies), so it’s not out of the question either.
Here’s the story of tonight’s match from the Revs’ side, courtesy of the Boston Herald.
