Jeff Parke knows what it's like to sweat out the final few games of the regular season trying to clinch a playoff berth. The last two years, the New York Red Bulls needed a result on the final day of the regular season to make the postseason.
"That's the worst because every time you go out to practice you feel like you're on egg shells, afraid to make mistakes, afraid to try different things," the Red Bulls defender said. "It's difficult to play like that. But it's our own fault for putting ourselves in that situation that we didn't get the points early in the season."
The Red Bulls aren't there just yet, but they need to improve on recent form to avoid playing some desperation games in the coming weeks.
"I don't think we're at that point, but I still think we need to put some wins together," Parke said. "If we can put wins together then it takes a lot of pressure off you."
The cushion New York enjoyed two weeks ago is gone. After securing one point in their last two road games, the Red Bulls are now just one point in front of the Kansas City Wizards in third place in the Eastern Conference.
Both teams in front of the Red Bulls -- D.C. United and New England -- have already clinched a playoff berth. The Red Bulls could move much closer to booking their postseason ticket with a win Saturday against the Revs.
The Red Bulls have lost both games to New England this year, dropping a 1-0 decision at Giants Stadium on July 14 and a 2-1 result Aug. 25 at Gillette Stadium.
In the game at Giants Stadium, the Revs limited the service to Juan Pablo Angel, who was so frustrated he picked up a straight red card for elbowing Shalrie Joseph in second-half stoppage time.
In Foxborough, Angel and Jozy Altidore combined for a goal, but the Red Bulls were sabotaged by a late own goal on a ball played back to Jon Conway by Carlos Mendes and the Red Bulls returned home with no points.
"They came to our place last time and beat us and that leaves a bad taste in our mouths and to add insult they ended up beating us at their place," Parke said. "I think we definitely should have got a point out of it and maybe should have gotten three."
It's possible that Conway and Mendes will both not be Bruce Arena's starting XI Saturday night. Since the own goal, Ronald Waterreus has played every minute in goal and Mendes has been limited to the bench.
Mendes is listed as questionable with a left ankle injury and Mike Magee is also questionable with a right knee injury. Kevin Goldthwaite is out with is likely a season-ending left knee injury.
"It's been that way all year," Arena said of the injuries to the defenders. "We can't dwell on it. We still have enough options and we'll have enough players to go Saturday."
The Red Bulls have also given up a penalty kick goal in each of the last two matches, a trend that is disturbing to Arena.
"The officiating is not as consistent as it should be and at the same time it is difficult for referees because the games now are much more meaningful," Arena said. "Am I happy? No."
It is likely Dave van den Bergh will again get the start at left back and he'll have his hands full dealing with Steve Ralston.
"Steve has had a fantastic career in MLS and is one of the best right-sided players in the history of the league," Arena said. "He continues to be a good player and game-in and game-out it's an interesting test for whoever plays on the left."
But Ralston is just part of the story for the Revs.
"On the other side (Khano) Smith has been good, the midfield trio of (Shalrie) Joseph, (Andy) Dorman and (Jeff) Larentowicz has been successful and having (Pat) Noonan being back has helped," Arena said.
The Red Bulls should have some good news with the expected return of Jozy Altidore up front. The 17-year-old, who is second on the team with eight goals and four assists, has missed the last three games with a combination of a left calf strain suffered during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and a knee injury.
"We've monitored it very closely the last three weeks and he's had an MRI and he's headed in the right direction now," Arena said. "He's good to go Saturday. It remains to be seen if we use him."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
