U.S. international Joe-Max Moore has rediscovered his scoring touch to hit four goals in the last three games for New England.


SOCCER AMERICA: Life with Walter Zenga: How’s it working out?

JOE-MAX MOORE: Real well. We’re in third place. Getting into the playoffs is the most important thing we’re looking to do this year.

We’re playing well for him, the goals are starting to go in, and those three-point wins are helping.

SA: He and former Revs coach Thomas Rongen seem to be as different as night and day.

JM: They’re not that different. Both he and Thomas are light-hearted, not too intense in terms of fitness.

SA: Both of the Dutch players ù Edwin Gorter and Richard Goulooze ù brought in by Rongen are gone. Was this something you expected?

JM: They were both a little bit surprising, to be honest. Edwin’s got so much skill and he can change a game. He just didn’t fit into Walter’s plans. He always goes to Miami for vacation, so he’ll be happy there.

Richard, I didn’t see it coming, to be honest. He’s only 31 and he’s a good enough player. He’ll continue his career somewhere, probably back home.

SA: How do the styles of Zenga and Rongen compare?

JM: Walter works a little more on the tactical side. Especially at the beginning of the year, he was concerned with us not taking too many goals. He made sure we knew where to pass players on, and at what point we shouldn’t be doing that.

Now we’ve shown we can do that and not take too many goals, so we’re almost playing a 3-4-3 a lot of the time.

SA: You’ve had to change positions a lot with the Revs. Is your current spot, at second forward, best for you?

JM: The first 10 games this season, I played half at midfield, and half at forward. Now, I’ve been consistently playing at forward and that’s the position I’m most comfortable in.

A lot of it is confidence. I came off the [U.S.] game against Argentina and fortunately I’ve been putting the balls in the net.

SA: Does this enhance your national team prospects?

JM: I’m happy to play right midfield or left midfield or defensive midfield, whatever, but I would like to establish a position with the national team.

SA: The Foxboro faithful seem to be enjoying themselves.

JM: The fans are much happier with the team and the way we’re playing. They definitely deserve a championship-quality team here.

by Soccer America Senior Editor Ridge Mahoney