By Danny Picard
CSNNE.com
FOXBOROThe New England Revolution get back to league play on Saturday night, as they host the Western Conferences Seattle Sounders FC. It comes just three nights after the Revolution lost to Monarcas Morelia in the SuperLiga Finals at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday night.
It marked the fourth straight loss for the Revs, and the fourth straight game they scored only one goal.
Wednesday nights game against Monarcas Morelia had meaning, sure. But the MLS season isnt played with the ultimate goal being a SuperLiga championship. Its played to win an MLS championship.
So while losing in the SuperLiga Finals may have been painful, missing out on the MLS playoffs would result in a whole lot more sorrow. And entering Saturday nights match with Seattle at Gillette Stadium, thats exactly where the Revolution stand: on the outside looking in at the MLS playoff picture.
The Revs (6-12-3) are in sixth place (out of eight) in the Eastern Conference standings with 21 points. The Sounders (9-8-5) are in fourth place in the West with 32 points. Clearly, the Revolution have more of an uphill climb to the postseason.
Its something that, we have a handful of games left, and were pretty far out of the playoff picture, but weve really got to hunker down and get some results, said Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis after Wednesday nights loss. Were probably going to have to win 90 percent of the games left.
After Saturdays match with Seattle, New England has just eight regular-season games left on the schedule, with only three of those at home.
Still, Revolution coach Steve Nicol believes the mentality of his club will stay the same.
Same as it always is, said Nicol. Were playing to win. That doesnt change.
As the Revs have found out this season, thats easier said than done.
Danny Picard is on Twitter at http:twitter.comDannyPicard