The Georgia Revolution traveled to Myrtle Beach Saturday for the Mutiny's season finale.
The National Premier Soccer League's Myrtle Beach franchise treated it as such, putting their best foot forward in a 4-0 victory over the Revs.
However, the Revolution, based out of Conyers, didn't. Georgia still showed up in Myrtle Beach Saturday but didn't have to play like it was their 2012 finale, because it wasn't.
Georgia still has the postseason with as few as one and as many as three matches left in its second season. The Revolution will host Chattanooga FC at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the Southeast Conference championship with a chance to reach the NPSL semifinals in San Diego.
"We brought a lot of younger players and a lot of players who haven't been getting much time lately," Revolution coach John Sprague said. "We were resting most of the starters for Friday's match."
Georgia's under-utilized players stepped up in the first half at Myrtle Beach, playing the Mutiny to a 1-1 tie at halftime.
About 10 minutes into the second half, the Revolution scored an own goal, giving Myrtle Beach the lead and momentum.
"You could kind of tell at that point the wheels came off," Sprague said. "They scored goals two, three and four within a 12-15 minute span."
In the second half, not only was Myrtle Beach's talent level a little higher than the Revolution's reserves but also the fitness level. Many of Georgia's players were not used to playing a full 90 minutes, serving mostly as reserve players.
Midway through the second half, the Revolution seemed to tire further leaving them trailing as the starters stayed fresh for Friday's playoff matchup.
"We went with no subs," Sprague said. "The first 45 minutes were an accurate portrayal of what they can offer. Myrtle Beach used all seven subs by the 60th minute. These guys haven't been getting the length of playing time that others have."
While the Mutiny celebrated a season ending victory, the Revs went directly into preparing for a showdown with Chattanooga FC, which Georgia tied 1-1 on June 20.
"The game plan is pretty well in place," Sprague said. "It's well known by our guys how we are going to play, and what were' going to do. If we stick with it and stick to our game plan for 90 minutes and not let the pace and intensity of the game get in our way I don't foresee us having much of an issue."
It will be the first appearance in the Southeast Conference finals for the Revolution with Sprague as head coach. The Southern Polytechnic assistant soccer coach served as an assistant with the Revolution in 2011.
"I'm excited for the playoffs Friday night," Sprague said. "It's going to be an interesting match. My opinion has been the same of this team the entire year; if they show up and are mentally and physically prepared for the game, I don't think anyone can beat us.
"I think this is the first time I coached a team that is this complete. If our guys show up, they're going to win three games and be national champions."
