FOXBOROUGH — Marko Perovic (Red Star) and Ilija Stolica (Partizan) played for opposing clubs in Belgrade. In fact, the rivalry between Red Star and Partizan is among the strongest in sports, one marked by deep political differences.

Despite those divides, Perovic and Stolica are on common ground these days. In fact, the bond between Perovic and Stolica is strong enough that they talk of having played “together,’’ though they have not performed on the same playing field until this week in training for the Revolution in preparation for tomorrow’s game against the Houston Dynamo.

Perovic has scored six goals in 17 games for the Revolution since joining the team in April. Stolica was signed last month and made his debut as a substitute in last week’s 1-0 win over D.C. United as the Revolution (5-9-3, 18 points) extended their unbeaten streak to seven games in the MLS and SuperLiga.

“He’s a classic striker,’’ Perovic said of Stolica. “He’s always in the box, he’s strong — it’s important for us, he [provides] those second balls. He’s also good for Zack Schilawski, he can learn from Ilija.’’

Schilawski leads the Revolution with five goals in MLS games. But Schilawski, Kheli Dube, and Kenny Mansally have been miscast as target strikers, and the Revolution have struggled on offense. The Revolution have scored more than once only five times.

“He’s not 100 percent,’’ Revolution coach Steve Nicol said of Stolica. “He’s had somewhat of a preseason, but not a full preseason. So he’s got a bit of fitness to go.

“I’ve said before, Zack and Mansally are young and inexperienced forwards. To have the pressure on them for a whole season is too much, it’s unfair on them. So, his experience and smarts and, as I said, he can score some goals, should really help us.

“He’s exactly what we expected and what we hoped for. We wanted somebody who could hold it up, and somebody who could get his fair share of goals, as well, and from what we’ve seen it looks like that’s what he’s going to do, and if does we’ll be happy.’’

Stolica scored off a Perovic pass to conclude yesterday’s scrimmage.

“With each day with the team it’s getting better and better,’’ Stolica said. “I feel good with the team, I feel good about the chemistry with the team and that’s most important for me.

“There are a lot of things when you change a country, a lot of things — paperwork, administration — that have nothing to do with football. But I have a lot of experience and I will be ready for the game.’’

Stolica, 31, is five years older than Perovic. Stolica left home for Spain in 1998, starting travels which have taken him to 10 clubs in seven countries.

“It’s a big plus for us, because we can understand each other,’’ Stolica said of playing with Perovic. “We know each other from before, I know the way he is playing and he knows me well. That’s one plus, but that’s only part of the whole picture because I think we have very good communication with the other guys.’’

Right back Kevin Alston (hamstring) left practice early and is out for tomorrow’s game, Nicol said. Goalkeeper Matt Reis sat out practice but will be available . . . Nicol, who waived Senegalese midfielder Joseph Niouky, an opening-day starter who had 16 starts in all competitions, said: “We had a chat with him and we just decided to go separate ways. The fact we’ve released him tells you — I’m not going to say he was bad at anything. We’ve released him.’’

Frank Dell’Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.

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