Nicol weighing Revs' strike options

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The face of the New England Revolution is a bit askew heading into the team's CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round second-leg encounter with Trinidadian side Joe Public FC.

Revs striker Taylor Twellman took a blow from Galaxy 'keeper Steve Cronin after heading home the opening goal in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Los Angeles.

"He's got five stitches in his face," Revolution head coach Steve Nicol said.

Those five stitches and concerns about a possible concussion will keep Twellman out of the game, leaving Nicol without a recognized striker in his squad.

"It makes it extremely difficult," Nicol said. "With the size of the roster we have with the number of games we've got, that was always going to be a concern that we were going to pick up injuries. That's what's happened. There's nothing we can do about it. We just have to make the best of it."

Making of the best of it also took a hit when potential striking deputy Steve Ralston was ruled out with back spasms. That leaves Nicol even more starved of options with Khano Smith likely the best option amongst the midfielders who could possibly shift up front.

A dearth of attacking options means Nicol wants his team to focus on keeping things tight at the back and figuring out a way to get a goal off a set piece. The Revolution lost 2-1 in the first leg one week ago in Trinidad & Tobago.

"One-nil puts us through," Nicol said. "We have to make sure we don't lose a goal. The first thing we have to do is make sure we are tight at the back. We have to try to figure out how we'll get the ball in the back of the net."

Keeping Joe Public off the scoreboard is by no means assured. The T&T Pro League side has quick players that caused the Revolution defenders problems in the first leg.

"I don't think we underestimated them, but I think they were better than we anticipated," Revs defender Chris Albright said. "They have some guys up front who can do some damage. It could have been a worse result. We were lucky to get out of there at 2-1."

Revs defender Michael Parkhurst said the travel took its toll.

"They're going to have to do the traveling," Parkhurst said. "That's the biggest thing. They're looking at 13- or 14-hour travel days to Trinidad and back. It takes a lot out of you."

Fatigue is commonplace at this point during the season, a point that Albright noted won't go away if the team can advance.

"I think we're running on tired legs at this point," Albright said. "It's just about recovery one day, preparation for the next. We'll be on that schedule for a while if we advance. We need to give an honest effort and give everything we have. I'd like to think we can get the job done."

It might not prove a neutral's delight, but Parkhurst believes that his team will do enough to advance.

"Pretty doesn't get you anything," Parkhurst said. "It's all about results. Even though guys are banged up and tired, we're going out there to get a victory. We don't have to play well as long as we score more goals than them, we'll be all right."