Just because nine of the 10 MLS playoff spots have been clinched doesn't mean the postseason field is clear. It's not. Not even a little but. The Galaxy will be the number one seed and the Sounders will be the two seed. Everything else? Well it's still to be determined even though each team only has one match left. Two of those spots up for grabs is the top spot in the Eastern Conference and the final playoff spot, both of which are in play when the Philadelphia Union visit the New York Red Bulls on Thursday night.
New York Red Bulls Vs. Philadelphia Union, 2011 MLS Week 32: Preview, TV Schedule And More
First place in the Eastern Conference is on the line for the Philadelphia Union when they visit the New York Red Bulls, who are just trying to get into the playoffs
The Union enter the match tied with Kansas City atop the Eastern Conference and they drew both their matches against each other. Both are even on goal difference too so even a Union win on Thursday can’t clinch the top spot in the East. They can force Sporting to win and by at least as many goals as they do though since if they finish even on goal difference, Sporting will get the top spot based on goals scored.
For New York, things are simple. Win and they are in. A draw also puts them through. All they need is a result, but lose and all hell could break lose. If they can’t manage a point then they will have to hope that their loss and a Chicago win doesn’t make up a goal difference of five or that Portland doesn’t win at all or all that Red Bulls money goes to waste as they watch the postseason from their couches.
If the Red Bulls are to get a result then they will need stellar performances by Luke Rodgers and Juan Agudelo. The two will start up top for New York in the absence of Thierry Henry, who must serve a suspension after getting a red card last match. Asking Rodgers to take on some of the work load isn't much of an issue considering his strong play all season, but Agudelo has flashed his age and inexperience as much as he has his incredible talent this year. He's benefitted from being a substitute most of the time and going up against tired defenders, but he won't have that advantage on Thursday.
When these two teams squared off in April, Philadelphia came away 1-0 winners, but that was before they traded Jordan Harvey. Since then, the defense has been shaky and depending on the defense isn't the smartest decision for them. On the positive side, Sebastien Le Toux has been on fire in the second half of the season and with him in front of Freddy Adu it's not hard to see the Union blowing past a lazy Rafael Marquez and befuddling Tim Ream and Stephen Keel one, two or 12 times for goals.
Game Date/Time: Thursday, October 20
Venue: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
TV: ESPN2 (English), ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
Online: ESPN3.com
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