Email Gambia News to a friend
Print version
Comment on This Gambia News

Gambia News : Gambian duo re-emerges for Revolution

For the first six games of the season, the pair didn't have to worry about whether they'd be on the teamsheet. The situation changed prior to New England's 1-1 draw in Chicago on May 9. Mansally and Nyassi dropped out of the starting lineup for the first time this season and spent the next three matches trying to figure out how to earn more than a late cameo.

Mansally and Nyassi, both 20, could have dropped their heads and sulked, letting the demotion affect their approach. Revolution coach Steve Nicol said that wasn't a problem.

"There's always that question," Nicol said. "The bottom line is that when you're performing, you stay in the team and when you're not, you don't. They know that's the bottom line. It (takes) experience to know where, when and why you're doing what you're doing. Hopefully, that's what they've done."

In order to return to the lineup and play meaningful minutes, the duo had to take on board what the Revolution coaching staff asked them to fix and import those qualities into their game. Nicol said Mansally and Nyassi knew what they were supposed to do, but sometimes struggled to implement that knowledge into their decisions.

"It's constant," Nicol said. "The stuff we've been telling them we want them to do is stuff we've wanted them to do from day one. It's an experience thing. They understand what we're looking for, but, on the field, it all comes down to decision making. A lot of that is experience as well. It's all tied together."

Nyassi, who started and played 77 minutes in a 2-1 win against D.C. United last Saturday, said he was charged with cutting out needless fouls in the defensive half, maintaining more possession, finding good spots and improving his service into the penalty area.

"I think I played a good game," Nyassi said. "I've been on the bench for a while. I've been outside watching and the coaches have been telling me what I need to do when I get back on the field. I think that's what I did."

Mansally said that he, like Nyassi, tried to learn while he spent time on the sidelines. Nicol told him that he wanted him to prepare to play left midfield -- a position he usually plays with the Gambian national team and a spot where he saw some time during preseason -- instead of featuring as an out-and-out striker as he did earlier in the season. The shift meant Mansally would have to work on his service into the box and remember his defensive duties.

"I kept watching until I got the opportunity to do it," Mansally said.

Nicol handed him that opportunity by inserting him for Chris Tierney at halftime of the United game. The move paid off. Within 10 minutes of his energetic arrival, Mansally provided the cross for Shalrie Joseph's equalizer.

"No soccer player wants to sit on the bench," Mansally said. "When I came in, I just went all out."

If Mansally and Nyassi continue to play like they did on Saturday, they won't have to worry about returning to the sidelines, Nicol said.

"Kenny, for the goal, put a great ball in," Nicol said. "They were lively and sharp. Sainey was the same. He had a couple of balls in the box and had a chance himself. As long as they keep producing that, they'll keep playing. That's the bottom line."