Sweeney: Three quick takeaways from Friday's 2-2 Revs draw

Not to rush you, but here are three takeaways as you ready to head over the Bourne, the Sagamore, or the Piscataqua:

It was a tale of two halves

I don’t remember exactly the first time I used the ol’ — read: cliché — “Tale of Two Halves” lede, but Friday night was a perfect example of it.

For the first 45 minutes — well, 42, let’s not beat around the bush here — the Revolution played along the lines of the way the supporters have wanted them to for so long, playing like a team from Boston: when the opposition makes a mistake, you absolutely punish them for it.

The Patriots against pretty much any defense in 2007? The Bleep You TD.

Leaving Ray Allen open in the corner? Buries the 3-pointer.

Groove a fastball to J.D. Martinez (or to David Ortiz, or to Manny Ramirez)? Expect it to find Lansdowne Street, or into the seats beyond Williamsburg.

What happened Friday? DC United’s Steve Birnbaum flashed a header back into space, and Teal Bunbury corralled it, and started a move that ended with Carles Gil scoring his team-leading fifth goal of the season. That goal put the Revs up 2-0 to the goal, and when you think about it, it really should have been 3-nil had Bill Hamid not turned into Plasticman and stopped a Luis Caicedo shot that caromed off Birnbaum’s foot and nearly went in.

In the second half though, DC United did the punishing, thanks to Wilfried Zahibo being sent off, forcing the Revs to play with 10 men. And while the Black and Red took advantage of being up a man, you have to give credit to the Rev defense for playing their hineys off in that last half an hour.

Because honestly, it could have been 3-2 to DC when it was all said and done: the way Andrew Farrell distracted Wayne Rooney on what should have been slapped into Matt Turner’s goal with power and pace, plus a Juan Agudelo kick save and a beauty that would have made Tuukka Rask proud… and a few more.

Refreshing the lineup at midweek?

I’m wondering if Bruce Arena will take the opportunity to get some fresh faces into the XI when the Revs host a Vancouver side Wednesday. After all, he has done that on the short turnaround, and this is a Whitecaps team that enters the weekend 11th in the West, have one win in their last 10 outings (1-3-5 in the league, a draw in the Canadian Championships Wednesday), and hosting Sporting Kansas City Saturday night.

Zahibo? Sitting that one out.

Antonio Delamea? Should be available after his one-game suspension.

With Zahibo out, does that open the door for Scott Caldwell to get back into the XI? Outside of the Open Cup, he hasn’t started since the 6-1 loss to Philadelphia on May 4.

If Gustavo Bou’s ITC and visa are sorted, who on the offensive end takes a seat? I would think that would be Juan Fernando Caicedo; obviously, with Bunbury in the form he’s in (six goals in last seven games in both competitions), you don’t want to sit him out.

Does DeJuan Jones get to start in place of Edgar Castillo? Do both Delamea and Jalil Anibaba get the center back nods, moving Farrell back to right back?

With the Revs entering Wednesday at eight games without a loss and 5-0-2 against the West, New England will want a strong, punishing offense out there, and a strong midfield.

We’ll get to watch some film on Vancouver on Sunday. We’re hearing the ‘Caps aren’t that impressive, but when you look at a few of their outings, they have held their own.

As for the result, yes, bad result… but they are in the playoff spots at the moment. Tomorrow will decide if they stay here headed into Wednesday

I know some people will have an issue with the Revs blowing a two-goal lead, and I criticized -- rightly criticized -- the defending for Leo Jara’s goal. But again, 11-v-10, set-piece situation for the equalizer which was coming.

But that result heading into Saturday night’s tilt between Montreal and Toronto puts the Revs into the playoff positions for the first time this season. L’Impact and the Reds play at 7:30 Saturday night, and I may get to watch most of it.

If Montreal can win at Stade Saputo — and L’Impact are hoping to break a two-match skid in the league — then that would keep the Revolution in seventh.

If there’s anything going against Montreal, is that it did play in the Canadian Championship at midweek, drawing Canadian Premier League side York 9 FC, 2-2, in the quarterfinals. Toronto didn’t play at midweek, seeing as the Reds have a bye until the semis.

That’s 90 minutes less on the legs.

That being said, keep your peepers on the MLS site or on Twitter for that result. Toronto does hold the tiebreakers at the mo, so a draw against Montreal will put New England back below the line.

But with the way the Revolution are surging, I don't expect them to be below the line for much longer.