NEW ENGLAND: The main reason that the New England Revolution will return to competitive form this season is because of number one.

Myself?

No, of course not. I do not play for the Revolution. Thanks for the consideration though.

AJ Soares – New England’s first round draft pick?

Possibly. A lot better chance than I have, but not what I am looking for.

From the time he took over full duties as The Revs’ net minder in 2004 up until the 2009 season, there may not have been a better goalkeeper in the MLS. In those years, his accolades added up almost as much as the Revolution’s success. He was consistently at the top of the list in goals against average and save percentage.  (Not always the best barometer for goalkeepers in soccer. You always have to take into consideration the team, but if you saw Reis, you knew it was him)

It is rumored that on the 8th day, Reis created God (Getty Images)

Reis made the 2005, 2007 and 2008 MLS All Star games. In fact, he was the last keeper the last time to win one of those MLS All Stars vs. Euro club things. During that same period, Reis led the Revolution to three consecutive MLS Cup finals and his numbers in the post season were as impressive as the regular season. 2009 may have been the best season of his career; Reis led the league in saves and save percentage. He came in 4th in GAA. All the more impressive considering he didn’t have the most inspiring defense in front of him.

As we all know, the Revs plunged in the standings the following season. 2010 was marred with a minus 18 goal differential (MINUS 18!!!!), second worst in the MLS. Yikes. The woes of last year’s Revolution can be attributed to the same number one.

Or lack thereof.

Reis missed more than half of the 2010 season when he suffered rotator cuff and ankle injuries. His absence contributed to one of the worst Revolution seasons in their 14 year history.

However, it was more than just missing Reis that led to these lackluster results. 2010 saw the departure of veterans Steve Ralston and left back Jay Heaps.  As if these losses weren’t enough, Murphy’s Law reared its ugly head in New England as the Revolution sustained injuries across all fronts. The defense suffered and Coach Steve Nicol was forced to rely on youth and inexperience.  The lack of depth required the franchise to turn to options that may have not been best suited or prepared for a defensive role.  This put significant responsibility on Shalrie Joseph who himself started the season down with a hip injury.  Obviously Joseph isn’t a defender, but in addition to losing his on the field leadership,  the lack of his presence creates a gap when transitioning from defense to offense putting more pressure on the less experienced replacements.

I’ll stop talking about 2010. Because we have moved past that! It was abnormal year without one of our cornerstones.  We have learned what we can from it and

Revs fans are looking ahead.

One huge positive is the return of the greatest Revolution keeper of all time (apologies to Walter Zenga,) and possibly one of the best goalkeepers in MLS history. Coupled with a rejuvenated defense, some newly acquired international veterans and a new perspective. (Yes! Buy into it!)

Walter Zenga shows frustration as The Rebel Yell ranks Reis higher

Coach Nicol and our beloved Revolution have put 2010 behind them, and with a fresh new contract and healthy shoulder, I am sure Matt Reis has too.

Goalkeeper has to be the most underrated positions in the sport.  I have been watching the MLS since its inception, but I have been following closely for only a couple years now, and it somewhat shocks the lack of effort teams have put in to get a goalkeeper. The designated player option has never been used on a goal keeper. Teams are probably looking for fireworks in order to fill the seats, but why over pay for a DP (for the most part have since underperformed), when you can get more of a guarantee. Sports Illustrated’s Steve Davis explores the notion here:

If you look around to the most successful clubs in the world: Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Real Madrid – there is one common denominator:

(Well, besides spending money)

A tremendous keeper.

The keepers for these great clubs may not be the best at any given time, but they are always close to the top and their clubs are always winning.  The “best” at the time could easily change, from van der Sar to Buffon to Casillas, but if you have a talented, disciplined keeper between the pipes, you will always compete. These are guys who control the box and captain the defense. Goalkeepers who may not be involved in play for 89th minute, but are always ready to make the crucial stop in the 90th.

Of course there are teams that can make a run, get hot and win a title without a solid goal keeper. Of course there are goal keepers who are flashes in the pan. They make a few great decisions or a few athletic saves for a string of games and win their team a cup or league title. There are goalies that just stink like Philadelphia’s Chris Seitz. There are even goalies who we do not even know if they are good. Is Victor Valdes even good? Hell, he plays for Barcelona. The other team does not even get the ball. Victor could take a break, come sit with me in the stands, discuss whether it’s Sammi or Ronnie ruining the relationship and get back to the net without skipping a beat.  Barcelona’s Champions League match earlier this week was a perfect example of this. Barca had dominated for 65 minutes, but a cold Victor Valdes then made a number of mental mistakes, perhaps from his lack of action, that led to two Arsenal goals and a 2-1 defeat the Emirates.

(Victor Valdes is good though, but you get my point.)

Matt Reis is a vocal on-field leader, respected in the locker room and has been a stone wall in his career for the Revs. He may not be at the top right now- Donovan Ricketts, Kevin Hartman and Nick Rimando all are making their cases. He has never won the best goalkeeper award, but that all does not matter much. He is always certainly near the top and that’s what matters.

A healthy Matt Reis for a full year could prove to be a crucial ingredient in Revs success in 2011.

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WARNING! RANT! WARNING! RANT!

This has nothing to do with the previous article.  Excuse me as I climb on top of my soapbox.

It has been discussed by all the pundits before so I will make it quick, but who are the schedule makers for the MLS? Do they drink all night, sober up and then dip into some hallucinogenic filled tea party leading up to this process?

My fantasy football league constructed its own schedule in a more impressive fashion.

Matt is the official blogger for “The Rebel Yell” the Official Rebellion blog.  He is also a contributing writer for WorldSoccerReader.com.

You can harass Matt on Twitter @Matt_Martins