From Boston Herald:
Moore feels Revs need win
By Gus Martins
Sunday, April 25, 2004

FOXBORO - Veteran Joe-Max Moore has played long enough to know how a
losing streak can sour morale and lead to division.

     So when the 0-2-0 Revolution visit the MetroStars today (4 p.m.,
FSNE) at Giants Stadium, the team will look to avoid that possibility
against the 2-0-0 MetroStars.

     ``There is a slight amount of pressure creeping in to make sure we
get a win,'' Moore said. ``0-2-0 is no fun and we can't let that last
any longer at this point.''

     Moore, 33, is hoping he can be a part of the solution at midfield,
where he'll play in place of the injured Jose Cancela. In his first
incarnation with the Revs between 1996 and 1999, Moore occasionally
played there, switching from forward.

     ``I've made it clear I'm ready to play anywhere in the team,'' he
said. ``In all honesty, I prefer to play slightly deeper. My natural
tendency is to drop back anyway. If I end up playing there, then one of
us will have to stay (defensively). That's the most important thing.''

     After leaving the Revolution following the 1999 season for
England, where he spent 2 seasons with Everton, Moore returned to MLS
last year in what turned out to be an ill-fated homecoming. He played
in just 16 games because of injury and scored four goals.

     Appearing at training camp in great physical shape and bringing
his customary lunch pail to practice every day, the blue-collar
scrapper with the Midas touch around the goalmouth is hoping to bring
his talents to bear.

     ``I'd just be happy to get around more of the ball and try to
create a few things from the middle of the midfield,'' he said. ``It's
something where I think I could set up a few opportunities for the
team.''

     While Revolution coach Steve Nicol wouldn't confirm any players
would be missing from the lineup, it was abundantly clear that Cancela
and Rusty Pierce wouldn't play and that Shalrie Joseph would likely
play with a facemask to protect a broken nose he suffered two weeks
ago.

     ``I think (we can respond to the injuries),'' said Moore.
``There's all different scenarios the team has played out for the game.
No question. It's not a pretty picture right now being down (players)
and we haven't won a game yet. But this team's going to figure a way
out of it.''

     It's still too early to know whether the MetroStars are going to
be good or simply average this season. The Revolution do know they are
going to have to play on the artificial FieldTurf at Giants Stadium.

     Moore added the MetroStars could also be a bit of a surprise
because the season's so young. The Revolution captured both
regular-season contests at Giants Stadium and also won the playoff game
there, shutting out the hosts, 2-0. But coach Bob Bradley has brought
in new talent.

     ``I haven't seen their system and how they are playing a whole
lot,'' said Moore. ``We only saw a part of the game last week against
D.C., so it's something that'll be interesting to talk to Stevie
(Nicol) about.''

     Revs notes

     The MetroStars had to experience nightmares last year at the sight
of rookie Pat Noonan. Noonan was nothing short of sensational against
them, scoring seven regular-season goals and two more playoff tallies
against them.

     But in the team's first regular-season encounter of 2004 today,
Noonan said he doesn't anticipate drawing special coverage.

     ``If they look at me, then there are going to be problems for them
because Taylor (Twellman's) healthy now and Joe-Max (Moore) is back,''
Noonan said. ``All the guys that were hurt at the end of last year are
healthy so nobody knows what our lineup's going to be. Once the game
comes around, if they focus on me, which I don't think they will,
they'll play the way they always do. So it's going to be a battle.''

     Noonan started the first two games this season at left midfield.
Today, he's likely to be playing at forward.

     Nicol said it appears the MetroStars have improved from last
season, even though the team didn't re-sign Clint Mathis who has gone
on to playing in the German Bundesliga.