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FOXBORO - Having played every minute (1,440) of every match (16) thus far during the Major League Soccer season, it was only sensible and exemplary that Matt Reis step aside and off the goal line as the New England Revolution began defense of its U.S. Open Cup championship Tuesday in New Britain.

The U.S. Cup, the upcoming SuperLiga Cup series are blips on the MLS calendar for the Revolution, who would be well-served when the second half of the MLS season renews itself in early August to have a healthy Reis in goal.

After all, Reis has not only been, probably, the MVP of the Revolution's season thus far, but perhaps, the MVP of MLS. "He's the league MVP, we keep giving him opportunities," wryly stated the Revolution's offensive MVP thus far, Steve Ralston of Reis, who has stood his ground admirably and helped New England not only own first place in MLS's Eastern Conference, but have the most wins (nine) and points (30) of all the franchises.

The 33-year old Reis has not only started in goal in every match thus season for New England, he has been the Revolution's starter and finisher in goal for the past 98 consecutive MLS matches, a streak of 8,820 minutes, dating back to September 2005.

"We have a lot of games coming up, it'll be a tough two months," said Reis, who will abide by head coach Steve Nicol's decisions to either start him or rest him in favor of reserve Doug Warren. "We have to see ourselves through it - it will take an entire roster to do that."

The Revolution have an MLS match Friday at Los Angeles, but don't play another MLS match until an Aug. 9 date in Foxboro. In between, the Revolution have another U.S. Open Cup match July 8 and SuperLiga matches slated for July 13, 16 and 20. That's not to mention, a Champions Cup series in late August and early September of F.C. Joe Public, a home-and-home series with the Trinidad and Tobago club.

Reis has stolen wins and secured ties for New England, being forced to make the big and timely save almost routinely as the Revolution tinker with an ever-changing lineup (10 players have made their New England debuts this season).

Reis has 1.13 goals against average thus far with five shutouts, having allowed seven other foes to one goal.

He preserved a victory over Houston with a penalty kick save against Stuart Holden and most recently preserved a victory over F.C. Toronto with a loose-ball save on the goal line with 10 minutes left.

Reis has been more often than not the "Man of the Match" because New England has been unable to finish off scoring chances (despite having an MLS second-best 23 goals) and has displayed an affinity for allowing second half goals (eight, four in the final 15 minutes of matches).

"It doesn't mean anything," said Reis of his performance and the Revolution's place in MLS at the midway mark of the season. "It's a great honor for the club, for Stevie (Nicol) and the staff. but at the same time, we're only half-way there. But, we have put ourselves in a great position."

Reis recently logged 12,767 air miles over a 12-day span with road games at Houston (June 12) and Real Salt lake (June 21) and being called upon for U.S. National Team duty as a reserve for a World Cup qualifier in California (June 15). "We need to be better about seeing the game through," said Reis of some of the defensive and second half breakdowns by his Revolution teammates in front of him. "We made it really tough for them (Toronto) the first hour, but then we mentally took a break.

"We've let a lot of teams back into it and we make it tough on ourselves. We still have major lapses. We're still striving for consistently, striving to play at 90-minute game."

- The Revolution travel to LA-LA land for a Fourth of July meeting with the Galaxy. Former Revolution veteran midfielder-defender and Foxboro resident has appeared in nine matches, starting six for the Galaxy since the return to his original MLS club ... Glamor-boy has four goals and six assists for the Galaxy, while USA National Team figurehead (11 goals) and (10) have been tremendously prolific ... Attleboro's has started four matches, appearing in a dozen for the Houston Dynamo in his first MLS season out of URI. He has one goal and one assist ... New England Revolution midfielder was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week following his two-goal performance in the one-goal victory over Toronto. Ralston's two-goal effort was his fifth career multi-goal game. The 13-year MLS veteran, Ralston has scored five goals in the Revolution's last five games and currently leads the club with six goals ... Since the start of the 2005 season, New England is when leading at halftime ... Both defenders and have played every minute of every match thus far as well for New England. "We have to do a better job of closing out matches," said Parkhurst. "For whatever reason, at the end, we have letdowns."