[MLS] The Revs, for which midfield stalwart Shalrie Joseph has played only one game this season because of injuries, will be missing their  captain for the forseeable future.  Team management announced Monday that Joseph, 31, has been given time to sort out some personal matters. He left Saturday and >the team did not stipulate a timetable for his absence.

Agent Ron Waxman responded to an e-mail by stating Joseph isn't facing any  legal problems and his privacy should be respected.

In the one game he did play, New England blasted Toronto, 4-1. He filled in as attacking midfielder and forward last year when injuries  decimated the Revs, and scored eight goals and registered eight assists.

During the offseason, Joseph's former midfield partner, Jeff Larentowicz, was traded to Colorado, and his absence has impaired the team's performance rather severely in several games.

New England, which lost at home to Colorado, 2-1, last week, hosts FC Dallas on Saturday.