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FC Dallas-Revolution Preview

Apr 30, 2010 - 7:24 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

FC Dallas (0-1-3) at New England (2-3-0), 7:30 p.m. EDT

After playing most of the last two years without top striker Taylor Twellman, the New England Revolution are now forced to move on without their best midfielder, too.

Shalrie Joseph has begun a leave of absence from the Revs before Saturday night's game against visiting FC Dallas, which is looking for its first win while New England tries to avoid a third straight loss.

The Revs (2-3-0) have already been without Joseph for four of their first five games due to injuries, with the 2009 finalist for league MVP making his only appearance in a 4-1 win over Toronto FC on April 10.

Since then, New England has lost twice, falling 2-1 at home to Colorado last Saturday, and Joseph is now out indefinitely due to personal matters. His absence presents a major hurdle for New England's young, revamped roster.

"We're not going to kid ourselves that we're not going to miss him," coach Steve Nicol told the team's official website. "But we have a squad of 24, and we have players who are desperate to play and do well, and we'll move forward that way."

The Revs have long been trying to replace Twellman, who has 101 goals but played in two games last year and remains out with post-concussion symptoms stemming from a collision Aug. 30, 2008. Goalkeeper Matt Reis is also out following offseason surgeries.

Rookie Zack Schilawski leads the team with three goals - all against Toronto. There will be more youth on the field in place of Joseph, with rookie Joseph Niouky and 25-year-old Pat Phelan likely to take over the central midfield.

"We can't really make excuses," Phelan said. "We're working each day trying to get better chemistry, so hopefully it comes through pretty quickly."

Dallas (0-1-3) may see an opportunity to end its six-game skid at New England. It already snapped a six-game overall losing streak to the Revs with a 1-0 home win Sept. 30.

More importantly, Dallas will be hoping to pick up three points for the first time in 2010. The team was also winless through four matches last year before beating Toronto FC 3-2.

This season's club, however, already has three ties, and coach Schellas Hyndman said it may have deserved even better results.

"If you look at the four games we've played, we could have won all four games," Hyndman told FC Dallas' official website. "We're inches away from winning games and soccer is probably the cruelest game in the world. We could be in a wonderful position right now but it's hitting goal posts, not following up on chances, not putting opportunities away, giving up soft goals, all the things that matter."

This will be Dallas' first MLS game since a 2-all tie with Seattle on April 22. The team lost 4-2 to D.C. United in U.S. Open Cup qualifying on Wednesday.