The New York Red Bulls have clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the eleventh time in their past 12 seasons and will face one of three teams in their opening round of the playoffs.
Only one regular season game remains for RBNY, who can guarantee at least one playoff match at home with a win on Sunday against Sporting Kansas City.
New York currently stands alone in fifth place, but can finish as high as third with a win against Kansas City this weekend and either a loss or draw from the Columbus Crew.
The match will be held on October 26 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. Kick-off will be at 8:30 p.m. ET (TV: ESPN2).
Here are the three teams that the Red Bulls could face in their opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
- New England Revolution
- Record: 16-13-4
- Last five matches: 3-1-1
- Next game: vs. Toronto FC
- MLS Cup Championships: None (Four appearances in the MLS Cup Final)
It was only a few months ago that New England were struggling to get above the red line, but since the acquisition of Jermaine Jones in late August, the team has gone 7-1-1 and stand alone in second place of the Eastern Conference. The Revolution only need a draw in this Saturday’s home finale versus Toronto FC to clinch the second seed in MLS Cup Playoffs. New England faced the New York Red Bulls twice this season and lost 0-2 at Gillette Stadium and again 1-2 at Red Bull Arena.
Midfielder Lee Nguyen has been the leader of the late season revival, with a team-high 17 goals – eight of which have been game winners – and five assists. U.S. international Jermaine Jones has impressed since joining New England, providing solid defensive work in addition to creating scoring opportunities for teammates and himself. MLSsoccer.com’s annual 24 Under 24 series which identifies the top 24 players under the age of 24 in MLS named three New England players to the top 24: Kelyn Rowe (16), Andrew Farrell (14), and Diego Fagundez (5).
- Sporting Kansas City
- Record: 14-12-7
- Last five matches: 2-2-1
- Next game: vs. New York Red Bulls
- MLS Cup Championships: 2000 (as Kansas City Wizards), 2013
The defending MLS Cup Champions have qualified for the playoffs, but have struggled since the All-Star break. Following the All-Star Game on August 6, SKC is 3-7-1 in MLS competition. In their two prior meetings with New York, they tied 1-1 at Sporting Park and lost 1-2 at Red Bull Arena.
Their strengths heading into the playoffs are postseason experience and their leading goal scorer Dom Dwyer. Despite their late season issues, the team knows, arguably, better than any team in the Eastern Conference how to get the job done come the postseason thanks to their 2013 MLS Cup Championship. Dwyer, their top scorer and second in the MLS Golden Boot race with 22 goals, will need to continue his scoring ways and inspire an underperforming team. Veteran midfielders Benny Feilhaber and U.S. international Graham Zusi will also need to step up in order to return Sporting Kansas City MLS Cup glory.
- Columbus Crew
- Record: 13-10-10
- Last five matches: 4-1-0
- Next game: vs. Philadelphia Union
- MLS Cup Championships: 2008
Currently one of MLS’s hottest teams, the Columbus Crew have picked up 17 out of a possible 21 points in their last seven games. The Crew have faced the Red Bulls three times this year, picking up a 1-1 draw at home, falling at Red Bull Arena 1-4, and winning last weekend’s rematch in Harrison, N.J. 3-1.
Although star striker Federico Higuain may be the most recognizable name on Columbus, the heart of the team lies with a number of young American players such as Ethan Finlay, who is tied with Higuain as the team leader in both goals (11) and assists (7) this season. Captain and U.S. international defender Michael Parkhurst leads the defense along with 21-year-old defensive midfielder Will Trapp. 24-year-old forward Aaron Schoenfeld is another young whose proven dangerous lately, scoring two goals against the Red Bulls last weekend.
