The calendar turns to September next week and that means MLS is one month closer to the postseason. With 10 games remaining, the New York Red Bulls sit alone in the fifth and final playoff spot in a congested Eastern Conference.
Seven teams from third place to eighth place are separated by just eight points while D.C. United and Sporting Kansas City have pulled away in first and second place respectively.
New York kicks off its crucial 10-game stretch this Sunday at D.C. United. Following the trip to RFK, New York returns home to host Sporting Kansas City on September 6 and then welcomes D.C. United to Red Bull Arena on September 10.
Let the stretch begin.
Red Bulls All-Time Record vs. D.C.: 22-32-9 (91 GF, 118 GA)
Last regular match between the teams:
- D.C. 1, Red Bulls 0 at RFK Stadium on April 12
Red Bulls All-Time Record vs. SKC: 18-19-12 (59 GF, 63 GA)
Last regular match between the teams:
- Red Bulls 1, Sporting KC 1 at Sporting Park on May 27
Of New York’s 10 remaining games, eight come against teams currently in a playoff position:
- August 31 – at D.C. United (1st in East)
- September 6 – vs. Sporting Kansas City (2nd in East)
- September 10 – vs. D.C. United (1st in East)
- September 20 – vs. Seattle Sounders (1st in West)
- September 28 – at Los Angeles Galaxy (2nd in West)
- October 11 – vs. Toronto FC (3rd in East)
- October 19 – vs. Columbus Crew (4th in East)
- October 26 – at Sporting Kansas City (2nd in East)
New York rounds out its schedule with games against Philadelphia (7th in East) and the Houston Dynamo (9th in East).
In 2013, New York turned it on during the home stretch, posting a 6-1-3 record over its final 10 games of the regular season en route to the club’s first ever Supporter’s Shield.
10 games and counting.