There was an extra jump in their steps as the MetroStars concluded training Thursday at the Giants Stadium practice bubble. After six weeks of must-win games, they are in the MLS Cup Playoffs. And they're relieved about it.
"We're back from hell," Metros captain Youri Djorkaeff said. "The last two months were difficult. We did it and now ... you can see the players are very happy to play in the playoffs. This is important."
And they were happy to be training Thursday, preparing for Saturday's first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against the New England Revolution.
"It was a miracle push at the end, a couple wins and a draw and a couple of Kansas City draws and look what happens, we're in," Tim Regan said. "It's the most exciting time of the year, by far."
But don't take the MetroStars joy as "we're just happy to be here." After the best end to a regular season in club history, the expectations are higher than making the playoffs.
"This is what we start in January for and we don't want to go home early," Metros interim coach Mo Johnston said. "We don't want to be finished this time of the year. We want to still in the next round and we have that opportunity. If we can make our way into the next round, we can go far."
Added Djorkaeff: "I'm very happy to play in the playoffs but it's not my goal to just make the playoffs. My goal is to win the playoffs."
It was a tumultuous second half of the season for the MetroStars, which dropped critical points against Real Salt Lake, Chivas USA and Columbus -- three of the four teams not playing postseason soccer.
Following a 4-1 loss at home to D.C. United, Metros president and general manager Alexi Lalas fired Bob Bradley and Johnston took over on an interim basis. Since then, the club is 2-0-1.
"You fight so long to get in and sometimes it doesn't happen," goalkeeper Tony Meola said. "We got in and now we're like, 'we have a second life.' Back in Kansas City the theory always was get as many points in the beginning of the year as you can so now you're fighting for a position instead of fighting to get into the playoffs."
Even though New England finished atop the Eastern Conference, 11 points clear of the MetroStars, all four meetings between the rivals were decided in the final five minutes. The Metros were 1-2-1 against the Revs this year.
"Those last five, 10 minutes of the match is going to be huge," Regan said. "I think that's where the game is going to be decided both here in Giants Stadium and in Gillette. We're getting ready for a great attack like they have. They can always score, especially at the end of the game. They push forward pretty recklessly but pretty effectively."
The Revs are one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the league, led by MLS Golden Boot winner Taylor Twellman, Metros killer Pat Noonan, Clint Dempsey and Steve Ralston.
There was some concern over the health of Noonan, who missed the final two regular season games with a calf strain -- but not by Johnston.
"Listen, they're going to be banged up anyway because when they come in here, it's going to be a fight," he said. "That's what playoffs are all about. We've got hungry guys who want to win a championship and that's what we're going for. We ain't taking second best.
"We have to do our job. I've seen teams in the past without four or five of their starters and end up winning. It's the playoffs. If they're banged up, so be it. I've got no sympathy for them."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
