By Danny Picard
CSNNE.com Staff ReporterFollow @dannypicard
FOXBORO --The music was louder than usual in the New EnglandRevolution locker room after Saturday nights match with FC Dallas at GilletteStadium.
Thats because the Revs had a reason to be happy. It wastheir first win since July 20, and just their second win since May 14.
In case you werent counting, thats two wins in 19 games.
So while defeating FC Dallas 2-0 on Saturday night should bea sigh of relief, it isnt enough to start rolling in the champagne.
I guess I should be ecstatic, but, you know, you cant lookat it now and think, had we not made the mistakes previously, wed be in agreat position, said Revolution coach Steve Nicol afterwards. But its goodto win.
Nicol said his Revs deserved to win on Saturday night.Its a term hes used even during the teams darkest moments this season.
Deserving hasnt necessarily translated into three points.
But on Saturday night it did, thanks to goals from ShalrieJoseph in the 14th minute, and Rajko Lekic in the 84th minute.
While Josephs early goal was big for the teams confidence,it was Lekics late strike that made the difference.
Lekic was standing at the far post on a corner kick taken byBenny Feilhaber, who kicked it to Ryan Cochrane at the near post. Cochraneheaded it over everyone to a wide open Lekic, and Lekic finished.
It was to my left foot, and I hate to shoot with my leftfoot, but I was like expletive it, let me just try to hit it, said Lekic.And I saw it in the net. I was so happy.
Scoring goals hasnt been the problem as of late for theRevs. It was holding onto leads after they scored them. So Saturday nights winwas extra satisfying, knowing that the back four stayed together, and closedout the win with a shutout.
Better spots and better decisions, said Nicol. Wellalways mourn about keeping the ball better and doing other things better. Butdefensively, if you keep good position and good spots, and you make gooddecisions when youre under pressure, then youll be fine. And thats what wedid tonight.
Tactically, we didnt drop into a shell like we have been,said Feilhaber. I think that kind of stuff, it doesnt work. Unless youre anamazing team at defending 10 guys behind the ball, and you have no brain lapseswhatsoever, and no lack of concentration, thats going to be tough to play 45minutes sitting back and not giving up goals. And we didnt do that today.
One win wont catapult the Revolution out of the basement ofthe Eastern Conference standings and into the playoffs. They know that. So fromhere on out, theyll try to take it one game at a time.
And the type of 90-minute performance they gave on Saturdaywill be the blueprint for their desired success.
I still think we should be thinking one game at a time,said Feilhaber. Putting in a 90-minute performance, and we did that today. Sonow we can look forward to trying to build. And I think if we can start puttingsome performances together, regardless if we get three points every singlegame. But if we get 90 minutes, were comfortable with it.
I think thats the first goal. If were able to get threepoints here, three points there, and were starting to climb up the rankings,then yea, then we can start looking and maybe we can sneak in there and grab aplayoff spot. But I dont think thats where our minds should be right now.
Danny Picard is on twitter at http:twitter.comDannyPicard.