New England Soccer Today

Revs Pay No Mind to DC’s 5-0 Defeat

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

To say that the Revolution and DC United are coming into Wednesday’s knockout match from different scenarios would be an understatement.

While the Revolution are brimming with confidence following Sunday’s 3-1 win over New York City, DC is in process of licking its wounds in the aftermath of a 5-0 thrashing at the hands Columbus.

Even so, Revolution coach Jay Heaps isn’t at all focused on what kind of psychological advantage – perceived or real – that may give his squad over an opponent fresh off their worst loss of the season.

“The focus is on us, and how we can go about our mentality,” Heaps told the media on Tuesday. “I think when you start trying to figure the opposing team’s mentality, you’re on a slippery slope.”

While the popular belief is that the Revolution couldn’t have gotten a more favorable matchup for the knockout round given DC’s recent woes, Heaps is only concerned about getting his squad ready for a road game – albeit an important one – on short rest.

Another member of the Revolution camp who isn’t buying the idea of a deflated DC team is none other than former United striker Charlie Davies.

Davies, who played in the nation’s capital under coach Ben Olsen in 2011, is fully expecting the hosts to put Sunday’s loss to the Crew behind them, and come out firing as if the season-ending embarrassment never happened.

“It’s the playoffs, so the past is the past,” Davies told the media on Tuesday. “We know that (they’re) not going to dwell on that coming into this game. Everyone has a fresh start.”

If anything, Davies believes that DC is more dangerous than it looks given the inherent advantage of playing in front of its home support for a do-or-die affair. In fact, DC went 11-3-3 at RFK Stadium this year, the second-best home record in the Conference.

“They’re going to be looking to make a run at home in front of passionate fans,” Davies said. “So we just have to be ready.”

Ready for hostile environment. Ready for an intense match that could be decided by a single moment. To wit, if there’s one thing the Revolution aren’t preparing for, it’s the possibility of facing a downtrodden DC side.

“It’s really important for us to continue our focus,” Heaps said. “Last week, all our focus was on New York, and all this week our focus is on DC.”

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