Sep 12, 2008 - 6:16 AM
0 shoutsBy Bill Bernardi PA SportsTicker Soccer Editor
Taylor Twellman's 20/20 vision has Steve Ralston still playing in 2019.
As for 2008, Twellman has no problem seeing success with the talented midfielder by his side.
The 34-year-old Ralston scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season and set up two others in the New England Revolution's 4-0 triumph over Chivas USA on Thursday at Gillette Stadium.
With the victory, New England (12-7-5) moved past the idle Chicago Fire (11-7-5) and into sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference. After playing their 11th match in the last 38 days, the Revolution trail the first-place Columbus Crew (13-6-4) by two points in the standings.
"His numbers speak for himself and obviously the result says it all," Twellman said of Ralston, who is the all-time MLS leader in assists (128), games played (354) and minutes played (31,317).
"He had a great game and hopefully he plays until he is 45 years old."
In the match's 53rd minute, the two toyed with the defense before opening the scoring after a brilliant exchange.
Ralston raced up the wing and fed a streaking Twellman, who ran past Chivas USA defender Paulo Nagamura and immediately sailed a shot by goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and inside the right goalpost for his 97th career tally and sixth this season.
"Stevie is a pleasure to play with - and it is kind of hard to put it into words what it is like," said Twellman, who then just as quickly found the words.
"You know you just have to give him the ball whenever he is open - and get open and he will find you. He is a pleasure to play with, we have done it a few times."
Jeff Larentowicz doubled the advantage in the 83rd minute - courtesy of a brilliant feed from Ralston, who has seven assists in 17 matches this season.
After receiving a pass from just outside the penalty box, Larentowicz blasted a shot that sailed past Kennedy and inside the right goalpost for his third tally of the season.
"It is one of those situations in my position that you have to come late and hope the space is there," Larentowicz said of his tally. "Steve picked his head up and dropped it off - and I just put my head down and shot it."
Ralston was happy just to be back on the pitch after missing the team's last three matches due to back spasms.
"It felt great to be back," Ralston said. "You know, watching is so difficult when you have an injury. You want to participate and be a part of it - and I was just glad to be a part of it."
New England coach Steve Nicol was certainly pleased with Ralston's participation.
"He is a huge influence both on and off the field here and to have him play again is great," Nicol said. "You see the quality he brings and it is a strange thing but that couple of weeks off have energized him, he has gotten his legs back."
After Khano Smith gave the Revolution a three-goal bulge in the 90th minute, Ralston capped the scoring a minute later. The veteran settled the ball inside the penalty box and quickly blasted a shot past Kennedy for his team-best seventh tally of the season.
"It has been a while I think for us to be on this side of it and a much better feeling - more importantly getting three points, it has been a while since we have won a game," Ralston said. "We feel like we are getting our legs back and we can move forward and get something going."
