Red Bulls-Revolution Preview
In good position to return to the MLS Cup final for the first time in seven years, the New England Revolution aren't about to let up or allow the short-handed New York Red Bulls to turn desperation into triumph.
Trying for an eighth consecutive home victory, the Revolution look to put away the Red Bulls in Saturday's second leg of the aggregate-goals Eastern Conference final series.
Jermaine Jones scored the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute to help New England end an 0-5-6 stretch at New York with a 2-1 victory in Sunday's first leg. Winners of five straight overall and in the midst of a 12-1-1 stretch, the Revolution are a win, a draw or a 1-0 defeat away from reaching their first MLS Cup final since making three straight trips from 2005-07.
Coach Jay Heaps won't allow his team's approach to change as it tries to record the franchise's second eight-match home winning streak. The other covered the 2004-05 seasons.
''Be aggressive,'' said Heaps, whose team has scored nine goals in the playoffs. ''When we're aggressive, we're a better team.''
The Red Bulls, meanwhile, must win by at least two goals or by one while scoring three or more times in order to move on. If New York wins 2-1, the teams would play two 15-minute halves of overtime, followed by penalty kicks if needed.
New York faces an even tougher task while playing without MLS goal leader Bradley Wright-Phillips, who is suspended for yellow-card accumulation. The talented striker tied the league record with 27 regular-season goals and scored his fourth of the playoffs Sunday.
"I'm angry, obviously," said Wright-Phillips, who earned one of the 10 yellow cards issued in the first leg. "Stupid yellow card and now I have to pay."
New York, which did win 2-0 at New England on June 8, is already without suspended defender Roy Miller.
"We've just got to believe," veteran and Australian national Tim Cahill, who could step in for Wright-Phillips, told the Red Bulls' official website. "Bradley's been the heart and soul of this team all season. It's going to be tough, but this is far (from) over."
Though 37-year-old forward Thierry Henry normally doesn't play on artificial surfaces such as the one at New England's Gillette Stadium, he will be in the New York lineup for what could be his final career match. The former Arsenal and Barcelona star is rumored to be considering retirement.
"We know that there's a whole other round left, a 90-minute game," Revolution forward Charlie Davies said. "When they have Thierry Henry anything can happen. We know Bradley Wright-Phillips isn't going to be a part of their squad next game, but they have Tim Cahill who's probably going to step in, and that's his normal position, so they're going to be just as dangerous."
With losses in its last two postseason matches, New York is trying to become the third team in MLS history and first since Los Angeles in 2001 to reach the league final after falling twice in the playoffs.
"We know what we're up against," New York goalkeeper Luis Robles said. "We know it's going to take our best game, but I'm confident in these guys."
The Red Bulls haven't been to the MLS Cup final since losing to Columbus in 2008.