Afterthoughts

With the final whistle of tonight’s game, the book on the Revs’ 2008 preseason trip to Bermuda is just about closed. The guys are anxious to get home to see their families before we take off for Mexico next week, but we still had a great time on this trip.

Tonight’s game was a much different affair than Saturday’s game. Bermuda was much more organized and pressured the ball better.

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A few observations from tonight’s game:

• Kenny Mansally has shown that he has a nose for the goal and is willing to do whatever is needed to put the ball in the goal. He’s been physical, speedy and crafty at times, and it’s lead to four goals. And remember, he just joined us for preseason on Friday.
• Our new athletic trainer, Sean, has a rude welcome to his first season with the Revs. In just his first trip with us, he’s already had to arrange three immediate trips to the hospital or doctor’s office. (By the way, we only had two all year last year – preseason through postseason.) Here’s hoping the Mexico trip goes a bit smoother.
• Shalrie is a beast, although we already knew that. Bermuda didn’t really have anyone who could take care of him in the midfield, and his play was one of the big reasons for the Revs’ success this trip.
• Midway through the second half, Stevie had cleared the whole bench so our younger players could see time. All the veterans were taken off after the long week except one: Chris Albright. And don’t think that the rest of the old-timers didn’t take full advantage of their sideline seats to razz Chris every time he came down the wing in front of them while they were resting up.
• GM Craig Tornberg and Director of Soccer Mike Burns arrived at the stadium just before kickoff after they attended a special reception at the home of the U.S. Ambassador to Bermuda, Gregory Slayton. Craig and Mike also got the chance to meet acclaimed actor – and Bermuda resident – Michael Douglas, who was also in attendance at the party.

The Revs’ starters harassing Albright

A few postgame thoughts from Stevie Nic:

“Bermuda played with a lot more spirit tonight, and both teams started to get scrappy in the second half. Still it’s a clean sheet, so we’ll take it and move on.”

“It was another great preseason effort for us. We made some of our chances, passed the ball well and showed some good fitness.”

“It’s always good when your strikers score goals. For both of them to get a goal is great for us.”