FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution are in prime position to take one of the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference should they simply take care of business over their last three matches.
First and foremost, they must punch their postseason ticket, something they have been unable to do in their last two times out – most recently in a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union last Saturday.
“You can’t think too far ahead,” Revs head coach Jay Heaps said. “We were disappointed after looking at, and assessing the situation Saturday when all the cards were on the table, and we realize that we felt we left points on the table. It would have been a really good three points, not only to establish a playoff spot, but also put ourselves in a position. But that’s on. It’s kind of like missing your chance in the game, you have to move on quickly.”
In that match against the Union, the Revs had plenty of opportunities to open the match up, 11 shots on target to be exact, but fell prey to Philly goalkeeper Andre Blake, who recorded 10 saves.
In taking the good with the bad, New England were encouraged by their offensive output and know that patience on the attack will eventually pay off.
“Part of this game requires a little bit of luck, and inches can be the difference,” said Juan Agudelo, who had two of those shots last Saturday. “We just have to keep creating chances and realize that that’s a good thing, that we are creating chances.”
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Added Diego Fagundez: “We just have to be patient and do everything we can to make sure we score.”
Their third chance at clinching an Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs spot will come Saturday night in Chicago (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE), where they will face a Fire side that has tweaked some things over the last few weeks under the helm of interim head coach Brian Bliss.
“There’s a little different feel in how they are and how they’re set up,” said Heaps in reference to the last time these teams met back on June 13, a 2-0 win for the Revs. “But. it’s not totally a drastic change. … We have to go about this game and see where their strengths are from an individual standpoint and try to limit that as best we can.”
New England currently sit just one point behind the New York Red Bulls – who have two games in hand – for first place in the East, meaning not only would a win give the Revs their third straight playoff appearance but also a chance to win the conference.
“I feel like this is when it gets fun,” said Agudelo. “I’m sure other guys believe that. We’re keeping track of every other team, whether they’re winning or losing. But, most importantly we’re keeping track of ourselves and understanding that if we are able to win and come up with three points, it’ll be huge in the standings.”
