Last modified: Wednesday, November 7, 2007 12:10 AM EST The Revolution's Steve Ralston (14) tries to work between two Kansas City defenders. (Staff photo by Keith Nordstrom) Ralston a veteran presence for Revs BY PETER GOBIS / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF FOXBORO - He was Major League Soccer's Rookie of the Year in 1996 and since then he has become the most prolific passer in the league, setting up more goals with his assists than any other. He is small (5-foot-9) and sleight (160 pounds) and the wheels might not churn as rapidly as they did back at Florida International College in the mid-1990's or during his first six MLS seasons in Tampa Bay. But rest assured Steve Ralston can still play some "futbol." "I'm ready to go, the team is ready to go," said the New England Revolution midfielder, who hopes to choreograph a few scoring chances Thursday evening at Gillette Stadium against the Chicago Fire - in the MLS Eastern Conference championship match. Ralston has made more MLS appearances (338, all but three as a starter) during his 12-year career, the last six in New England after being acquired in the first round of the 2002 allocation draft when Tampa Bay disbanded. Ralston has put his name on the scoring sheet for assists 121 times during the regular season, the most by any player ever in MLS. Ralston is one of only seven players still active in MLS since its inception, three times (1999, '00, '02) being named to the MLS Best XI side and has represented the United States in international competition as a member of the National Team 36 times. And now, since moving from the outside right flank to an inside midfield slot, Ralston hopes to spark the Revolution attack against a Chicago Fire side which has allowed just eight goals in its last 10 matches (4-0-6 since Sept. 1). "I feel great, personally," said Ralston of his strength and stamina, not to mention his MLS-best 14 regular season assists and his setup of Taylor Twellman for the match and series winning goal against the New York Red Bulls. "I'm excited about the opportunity to play, to play for a conference championship and to play the match at home." The Revolution are bidding for their third straight MLS Championship Cup appearance (Nov. 18 in Washington, D.C) against a Chicago team which finished at 10-10-10. But since Juan Carlos Osorio took over as head coach, the Fire have allowed two goals or more just once. Before Osorio arrived, Chicago allowed multiple goals in six of 15 matches. Since Osorio arrived, he has changed formations and positions routinely and the Fire added a dynamic factor in Mexican striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who has four goals and seven assists in 14 matches. "We have to be aware of where he goes on field," said Ralston of New England's likely five-man midfield group stifling passes to his feet. "He finds holes and makes spaces for himself. We have to close him down." New England has been almost as stingy defensively, not allowing a goal to New York through 180 minutes of play. Ball possession is a key component and that is Ralston's determining factor. He moved inside, first when midfielder Shalrie Joseph was suspended for the U.S. Open Cup final, then remained there when Revolution coach Steve Nicol opted to put Andy Dorman on the bench and utilize the legs of Wells Thompson on the outside. "That's the biggest thing, he keeps possession," said Nicol in praise of Ralston's skill and field vision. "Most of your problems come from losing possession of the ball at midfield, when we make turnovers." Ralston was the setup midfielder for Carlos Valderrama in Tampa, where he totaled 62 assists in six seasons. When he arrived in New England he was the set up man for Taylor Twellman, who has 92 career goals. "It was a combination of things," mentioned Nicol of the change in positions, not necessarily roles for Ralston. "Dorman had played there most of the season, then we had a stretch of eight matches in 22 days and it affected him, it took his legs away from him. "Wells (Thompson) has begun to understand his role on the right side and Steve gives us control of the ball." Ralston's role will be to probe Chicago's defense, Osorio not hinting of whether a three or four man backline will be the defensive scheme. "We've been doing a lot of the right things in contrast to the end of the season (when New England was 0-2-1, allowing seven goals)," said Ralston. "At home, you feel a lot more comfortable too. There's probably more pressure playing here, you're expected to win at home. "But, it's playoff time, so there's supposed to be pressure." CORNER KICKS