The last time the New York Red Bulls were in Chicago, they helped christen Toyota Park by playing their worst game of the year, falling to the Fire 2-0 in front of a sellout crowd at the stadium's grand opening.
Although the front office said the decision wasn't based on that result, Mo Johnston was let go after that game. Now the Red Bulls return to Bridgeview, Ill., in the midst of a critical stretch of three games on the road against Eastern Conference opponents. Red Bulls boss Bruce Arena had said he'd be satisfied with four points out of the trip, and his team can reach that goal with a win Sunday night.
"I don't think we need to win every game, but I think we need to start getting three points," Arena said. "We're at crunch time now, and certainly three points help position whom we play."
A combination of injuries, lack of depth and a difficult stretch of five games in 14 days has the Red Bulls' tank near empty. That was evident in the final half hour against Kansas City on Wednesday night when the Red Bulls couldn't hold onto a one-goal lead and allowed Josh Wolff to equalize in the 71st minute in a 2-2 draw with the Wizards.
After playing the Fire, the Red Bulls finally get a respite before taking on the New England Revolution Sept. 9.
A week ago the Red Bulls were one of the lowest scoring teams in MLS, but they've scored eight goals in the last two games.
In two consecutive starts, John Wolyniec has scored two goals, the final goal of a 6-0 rout against Real Salt Lake last Saturday and the tying goal off a magnificent dribbling display by Amado Guevara against Kansas City.
Edson Buddle came off the bench to score a hat trick against Real Salt Lake and started alongside Wolyniec against Kansas City, although he was replaced by Jordan Cila at the start of the second half.
Even defender Todd Dunivant, who had one career goal, has gotten into the action, scoring in two consecutive games.
"Todd has done pretty well getting forward in the attack -- obviously a big goal tonight off the corner kick," Arena said Wednesday night. "He's still getting himself back in form; he's coming off an injury that caused him to miss a good number of games obviously in the first half of the season. He still doesn't have his full fitness but hopefully over the next couple weeks he'll get back in form."
If there's been one constant for the Red Bulls this year, it's been the play of the club's iron man, Carlos Mendes. The second-year defender started the season on the left side of Johnston's three-man formation and has since moved back to his more natural central position. The Mineola, N.Y., native is the lone player on the Red Bulls who has started all 24 games.
"We're not exactly where we want to be yet, but it's getting there, or at least going in the right direction," Mendes said. "Our goal right now is to get to the playoffs. We know every game is important, and most of the games are in the conference. Right now it's one game at a time to get into the playoffs, and anything can happen from there."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
