The New York Red Bulls' mission for this Saturday's match vs. the Chicgao Fire is simple: to get a win.
"Right now, we have a really simply strategy - we need three points however we get it," said head coach Bruce Arena. "It could be good, bad or ugly. We've got to scrap and fight for 90 minutes to try to get on a roll."
Arena said that although the results do not reflect it, the team is improving. The main issue at hand, however, is playing consistently for the game's entire 90 minutes.
It is a concern that has lingered throughout the season and on all parts of the field. With three games left, Arena said that this must be resolved.
"We have to play better [and be] more consistent over 90 minutes," Arena said. "We played well in spots, no doubt about that, but it hasn't been the consistent type of soccer you need to play in order to be successful. Hopefully we can learn a little something from our past few games and be better on the field Saturday."
Chicago is coming off a 3-1 win over Los Angeles in the U.S. Open Cup Final, clinching their fourth title. Though it is expected that the second-place Fire, who have already punched their ticket to the MLS Cup Playoffs, will rest some of their regular starters, Arena said that their Eastern Conference rivals will be ready to go.
"It'll be hard to predict actually who they're going to be playing, but I think regardless who they play, they've been able to [rotate their players] a fair amount," Arena said. "They have one of the deeper rosters in the league, so I think [Chicago head coach] Dave [Sarachan] is confident in using a number of players."
The Red Bulls' mood is positive going into Saturday, with most players feeling confident that the squad could get three points.
"I'm happy they think that way but I think we're going to take it one game at a time and the game we have to win is this one Saturday," Arena said. "No question about that."
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