Commentary

View from the Sideline: Coaching rivals Heaps and Watson keep it cordial

Jay Heaps vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

A strange thing happened on the Revs' sideline Saturday night - peace broke out between rival coaches.


For 90 minutes, Jay Heaps and his opposite number Mark Watson exchanged nothing but pleasantries.


Both agreed on various refereeing decisions and the highlight of the evening came just as things may have turned nasty when Walter Martinez clattered into Andrew Farrell.


"Hey, Mark," shouted Heaps. "That's the worst challenge I've seen."


Watson immediately responded: "That's not even the worst challenge I've seen you make."


Heaps nodded in agreement and then burst out laughing.


In keeping with that spirit of camaraderie the Revs coach also made a point of telling the fourth official that the man in the middle had had a great game shortly before the final whistle, which was nice to see.


To cap a great night I also got to interview two-time Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, whose father, Rick, was also present but a little less animated than the last time I saw him.


Aly was making her first visit to a Revs game and caused quite a stir, signing dozens of autographs for fans and staff.


It would not be a surprise to see her back at Gillette Stadium in the future.


The Houston Dynamo visits next Saturday with a certain Andrew Driver, who is not only from the same town as me in the UK, but the same village.


He's a gifted, tricky winger but he'll be up against it against a Revs defense that looks to be back to its stingy best.


See you there.