If I Was F.C...

What can the Revolution do to salvage this miserable start? It lies within three numbers. The Revolution should go to a 4-5-1. Yes, a four-five-one, yes, the same 4-5-1 you associate with defensive soccer. We've got three good defenders who aren't supported at all by the midfield. We have one striker who is clearly ineffective with another struggling to find his form. The Revolution also have too many offensive midfielders to deploy in a conventional 4-4-2. If I Was F.C...we'd be playing a four five one. Let's break it down.

Goalkeeping

Juergen Sommer has eradicated any doubts over his place in the side with solid performances during the start of the season. His towering presence has helped him to control the box. Sommer's magnificent performance against San Jose clearly demonstrated his dominance in the New England nets so far this season, no matter the shape and inconsistency of the defense. Jeff Causey started the season as the starter and was quickly supplanted by Sommer. He provides an able-bodied backup.

Defense

The Revolution have not established a defensive strategy. Sometimes, they play with three at the back, while other times, four at the back is used. Five defenders have shared time with only one true constant: the usually solid (but sometimes misguided) Mauricio Wright as the sweeper. The return of Rusty Pierce and the shift to defense by Joey Franchino fills three defensive slots. The question becomes: Can this side play three at the back?

This Revolution side is ill equipped to play three at the back. Mauricio Wright is not a sweeper. His forward runs leave the center of the defense quite exposed to a good counter-attacking team. Joey Franchino and Rusty Pierce are good man-markers, but neither can cope with numerous odd man rushes during a match. The simple solution is to play Alan Woods (no, not Brian Dunseth....we'll deal with that soon) as the "stopper", which leaves Mauricio Wright free to roam as he pleases.

Alan Woods is clearly preferable to Brian Dunseth at this point in time. Some would argue that Dunseth is a better pure defender. The difference between the two defensively is negligible, but possession-wise, there is a clear difference. Dunseth prefers to boot the ball hopelessly, while Woods tends to look for the safe, smart pass. On a team where possession can be maintained through the center of the field with Caté and Andy Williams, the contribution of Woods' short passing game is overlooked.

The Revolution are not a weak defensive team. The major defensive problem lies with the ability of the midfielders to track back. If the Revolution can find two players who can track back on the wings, like Chrono does when he is healthy, the defense will quickly shore up. The defense is not inherently flawed. Rather, it just needs to be tinkered with the four back set using Woods to support Wright.

Midfielders

This is one messy midfield at the moment. There are 8 players fighting for 5 slots in the 3-5-2. The number will only grow with the rehabilitation of Yari Allnut, as well as the expected arrival of winger Braeden Cloutier. Something's got to give. This squad can't play a 4-4-2 without making someone really unhappy. A five man midfield can work if supported correctly.

To start, you need one defensive midfielder. This isn't the 3-5-2, which doesn't work without two defensive midfielders (see the San Jose game for details). One defensive midfielder will do. Despite his aging legs, Leonel Alvarez is the choice to perform this role. Frankly, Leonel has looked poor on many occasions. However, the Revs can't blood a new player like Nick Downing or Fernando Ortiz Solis in this type of dire situation. Alvarez should be given one last chance to prove his worth.

Next, the Revs must take a look at the two creative midfield positions. Caté must be a lock for one spot. He is the consummate playmaker, and clearly showed his worth during a rather awful team performance in San Jose. Caté makes things happen when he has the ball at his feet. His presence should be complimented by Andy Williams. Williams is another player who can hold the ball in midfield. He also can create great opportunities. More importantly in this 4-5-1 formation, he would be left open to make surging runs forward to support the lone striker.

The wings are an interesting conundrum for Manager Clavijo. William Sunsing should hold down the right wing spot. He has the pace and creative skills to make good things happen in the box. Not only that, he combines well with Caté and Williams. He would be a much better option on the right flank than John Harkes as he has shown that he will go back and defend if necessary. Ted Chronopoulos will return to his customary left flank position on his return to full fitness. He adds another good crosser to the mix.

Clearly, this will leave some people on the outside. The John Harkes problem was dealt with by his trade to Columbus. Roland Aguilera just adds another midfielder into this quagmire. Cloutier is the new guy in town. He'll find a spot when World Cup Qualifiers come around again. Nick Downing and Fernando Ortiz Solis are mainly practice fodder right now. Downing may find a spot if Alvarez continues to falter.

Strikers

The Revolution have strikers? It hasn't seemed that way through this rough start. The side has definite scoring problems. You'd think that trimming the front line from two strikers to one would hurt, but to this sorry bunch, it would be a major help. The second striker spot continues to plague the Revolution after they failed to address it during the off-season.

Wolde Harris has to be the lone striker. His exploits last year have won him the starting spot this year. He should be able to adapt to the runs of his international teammate Andy Williams and the incisive through-balls of Caté. Eventually, he will find a way to overcome his rotten luck. He is similar to Andy Cole, as both need a bevy of chances to finish one. Harris, with his newly minted six year extension, provides the best option up top.

Unfortunately, the Revolution don't have a lot of options. John Wolyniec was recently acquired for Eric Wynalda, but he doesn't look to be a starter. He may provide an aerial presence off the bench. Matthew Okoh was supposed to be the answer to the Revs' second striker problem. Instead, he turned out as a slow, selfish striker who can't finish his chances. Johnny Torres puts out the necessary effort, but lacks the primal instincts of a true finisher. Torres is literally the poor man's Paul Keegan.