For New England Revolution head coach Steve Nicol, it's all about his team's legs.
Nicol said his team didn't have them last Saturday in a disappointing 1-0 loss to Colorado at Gillette Stadium.
"We didn't have any legs last weekend," Nicol said. "You can spot the difference in the team."
After resuming normal business following a road trip that saw stops in Chicago and Kansas City, Revs defender Michael Parkhurst said those legs should be ready to go for Saturday's clash with the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium.
"Most of the guys feel fresh," Parkhurst said. "We put together a decent performance. We just weren't able to find the net."
Not everyone is as fresh as Parkhurst and the Revs would hope. Defender Chris Albright (ankle) didn't make the trip and won't play for the third consecutive game. Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz has struggled with an ankle injury but will likely start at the Meadowlands.
Parkhurst said second-year defender Amaechi Igwe has covered well in Albright's absence.
"He's filled in and done a great job," Parkhurst said. "He's been extremely solid for us. We feel confident in the back with whoever is in there. Guys are able to step in and play well."
The Revs aren't the only team getting healthy. Dane Richards remains out for the Red Bulls, but Jozy Altidore (knee) and Juan Pablo Angel (hamstring) are expected to play together for the first time this season.
"They're one of the best tandems in the league," Parkhurst said. "They are a pair of extremely talented forwards."
Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio has chosen to supply his strikers by slotting Claudio Reyna into an attacking midfield role, one that Parkhurst believes his team must limit.
"We know Claudio's a veteran guy," Parkhurst said. "He brings leadership when he's on the field. He runs that team out of midfield. We'll have to watch him, Shalrie [Joseph] in particular. Shalrie's such a big presence in there."
The Revs have maintained quite a presence against the Red Bulls over time. New York hasn't beaten the Revolution in any competitions since the 2006 MLS Cup Playoffs and hasn't triumphed in a regular season contest since a 5-4 thriller on Sep. 19, 2005.
Nicol said there was no particular reason why his team has had so much success against the Red Bulls over the past two seasons.
"I think we've got a good team," Nicol said. "That's the only way you get good results, whether there or anywhere else. If we do well what we do well, we're going to be successful."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
