The only eventuality keeping these two teams in the race is the possibility of a multi-team tie for the 10th and final playoff spot, which would be settled by a series of tiebreakers. But that scenario could be over as soon as Thursday - if D.C. United defeats Philadelphia, both the Revolution and Toronto will be out.
If that happens, the Revolution will be playing the final month of the season - including home games against Seattle (Saturday), San Jose, and Columbus - with nothing at stake. The Revolution were in a similar situation last season, but at least were able to make it into October without having been eliminated. They finished with a 9-16-5 record last season, their second-lowest win total since Steve Nicol became coach in 2002.
Before Nicol was hired, the Revolution experienced several single-figure victory seasons, but the team has never officially had successive seasons with less than 10 wins - until now. There is a caveat to that number; since shootout victories were counted as wins (only one point was awarded) through 1999. In three of the Revolution’s first four seasons, they totaled less than 10 3-point victories.
In the team’s early years, it desperately sought solutions, going with five head coaches in its first five seasons. Nicol brought stability and success. But, now, the Revolution’s formula for producing quality teams appears to be failing.
The Revolution might not make a major shakeup, but decisions will have to be made on the status of Nicol and captain Shalrie Joseph, whose contracts expire at the end of the year.
If Nicol is retained, he will need some help. He is second on the all-time MLS coaching victory list, but he has lost his winning touch as the team has lost influential players, plus his top assistant, Paul Mariner.
The Revolution could add a technical director, or expand Nicol’s role, essentially promoting him to head coach/technical director. That would mean giving him more responsibility and more control over the team’s administrative workings.
