The New England Revolution will board the bus for New York on Tuesday knowing that they are about to face the most important four days of their season so far.
On Wednesday night, the third-placed Revs face the Red Bulls, currently one place below them, at Giants Stadium, before welcoming the fifth-placed Kansas City Wizards to Gillette Stadium on Saturday.
Two wins against the sides closest to them in the standings would all but guarantee postseason soccer for the Revolution, whose players are well aware of the importance of the next two fixtures.
"Huge," said Steve Ralston of the days ahead for New England. "If we were to win both these games then it would be pretty much done but, on the other hand, if we don't get the right results, we could be in for a really tough last couple of games. We really need to make sure we get the most out of this that we can."
Ralston is one of several veteran players who has experienced Revolution late-season surges and hopes that he and his colleagues will be able to draw on that knowledge when facing the challenges of the weeks ahead.
"As a team, most of us have been through this already," Ralston said. "We've had the same group of guys for the last four or five years; myself, Joe (Franchino), Jay (Heaps) and Taylor (Twellman). We've been in worse positions and we've been in better positions. We know what we have to do; we just have to win games and we can't afford to lose any points. We should be picking them up."
Ralston will be looked towards to supply chances to the Revolution's forward line Wednesday night as New England looks to score more than one goal in a game for the first time since July 8. The Revs moved to improve their options in the striker department last week by signing former Mexico international, Jose Manuel Abundis. On Tuesday, the 33-year-old received his international clearance.
Even though he is available, Abundis would not start the game, though he does offer an attractive option off the bench. With Pat Noonan a certain non-starter as well, Nicol will deploy Clint Dempsey alongside Twellman, as he did a week ago when Dempsey scored his first goal since July 4 to save a point against D.C. United.
One problem for the Revs will be the absence of midfielder Shalrie Joseph, who is out with a hand injury. Andy Dorman will replace Joseph in the lineup with Jose Cancela filling in behind the front two.
The Revolution last played the Red Bulls on Sept. 9, coming away with a 1-0 win, thanks to Noonan's eighth-minute goal. It was a performance that the side considers one of its most complete of the season, with missed chances the only blight on an efficient display. Repeating the trick on New York's home turf would go a long way to ensuring the Revs qualify for the playoffs for the fifth year in succession.
"Between now and the end of the season, there just isn't a run of the mill game, not that there is such a thing anyway. Every game now is hugely important," said Nicol, who is under no illusions as to the size of the challenge that awaits his side on Wednesday night.
"They are three points behind us and a win for them would put them level with us. That's all the incentive they need. By the same token, our incentive is to stretch ahead so both teams have got a huge reason for winning the game."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
