Crew-Revolution Preview

In prime position to claim their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals in seven years Sunday, the New England Revolution expect to maintain the same aggressive approach that helped them build a two-goal semifinal advantage over the visiting Columbus Crew.

New England improved to 3-0 against Columbus in the playoffs with a 4-2 road victory last Saturday in the opener of this two-leg series. The result left the stunned Crew needing to score at least three goals for the chance to move on.

The Revolution can advance with a win, a tie or a one-goal defeat. They also can move on with a two-goal loss if Columbus doesn't score four or more goals. Should the Crew win 4-2, two 15-minute halves would be played, followed by penalty kicks if needed.

Columbus can advance with a win by three or more goals, or with a two-goal victory provided it scores five or more.

Winners of three straight and in the midst of a 10-1-1 stretch, the Revolution expect to play as if they are the team in desperation mode.

"We want to win the game," forward Charlie Davies, who became the first Revolution player to score twice in a playoff game, told the team's official website.

"We're not trying to tie, we're not trying to keep it close. We're want to continue to do what we did in Columbus."

New England has a chance to return to the conference finals for the first time since a six-year run ended in 2007.

"We want to go into (Sunday's) game with the exact same energy and effort," coach Jay Heaps said. "Things will change here and there during the game, but at the same time, it's really important for us to take our chances at home.

"I think that is kind of our motto, to go after teams. If we have chances we want to put them away."

Though Columbus has yet to beat the Revolution during the postseason, it won 2-1 at New England on July 26. The Crew also scored at least three goals seven times during the regular season.

"It's an elimination game, and you need to be aggressive early and you need to try to get a goal early," Columbus coach Gregg Berhalter told the team's official website. "Having said that, you have 90 minutes to score three goals and prevent the other team from scoring one. It's possible. It's not an easy task, but it's certainly possible."

Though the Crew's confidence took a hit last weekend, they tried to find something positive to build on and perhaps use as motivation.

"Getting two goals, maybe that gave us some slight chance," said forward Justin Meram, who scored in the 64th minute last Saturday. "I still believe, and we still believe, that we can go there and get a win."

If the Crew are to have a chance, they likely need to contain streaking Revolution midfielder Lee Nguyen, who led the team with 19 regular-season goals and has scored in five consecutive contests.

"I think we've got the fight back, and we've got the right mentality," Columbus captain Michael Parkhurst said. "We know that it's going to be a dogfight. We want to make it as crazy as possible."