From the Boston Herald:
MLS finalists have holes to fill
Revolution Notebook/by Gus Martins
Friday, February 14, 2003

AGUAS DE LINDOIA, Brazil - If it's tranquility they sought, the
Revolution couldn't have chosen a better location than this
picturesque mountain region of Sao Paulo state near the border
of neighboring Minas Gerais.

But the optimism of every preseason quickly can give way to the
reality of what lies ahead. The Revs, fresh off a run to MLS Cup,
now must confront the future without several key players.

Defender Carlos Llamosa remains unsigned and, at the very
least, his absence hurts the team's depth.

Peter Nowak, acquired in the offseason, decided to retire and
remain in Chicago instead of moving to Boston. His loss leaves
the team without a vital attacking option in central midfield. Jim
Rooney also has not signed a contract.

Revolution coach Steve Nicol said the team can learn to live
without Llamos, who missed five of the team's final 11 games
last season.

``When we made our run to the playoffs Carlos missed quite a
few games and others stepped in to his place and got the job
done,'' Nicol said. ``He's a good player, but we'll have to carry on
without him.''

Barring any trades, the Revolution likely will settle on the
defensive combination of Daouda Kante and Rusty Pierce.

Pierce missed 14 games last season because of chronic groin
injuries. Kante played 14 games after being signed by the
league in August.

``Everything about this experience for me has been an
adjustment,'' he said. ``There were expectations for me last year
and I think I did OK. So it will just be a matter of stepping in again
and taking charge.''

Buhlmann gets his shot

Swiss midfielder Patrick Buhlmann of F.C. Zurich arrived
yesterday for a two-week trial with the team. Buhlmann appeared
for several days last year and former coach Fernando Clavijo
desperately wanted to sign the talented left-sided player.

``I'm 31 years old,'' said Buhlmann, who also speaks French,
German and Italian. ``Sometimes it's good for a player to go to
another country and see what the soccer is all about.''