By BRIAN LEWIS
With three teams just a point behind the Red Bulls in the MLS wildcard race, and with a brutal three-game stretch looming to close the regular-season, tonight’s tilt against last-place Toronto (7:30 p.m., MSG) is a must-win if they have any real hopes of the playoffs.
“Huge, crucial to our aspirations to make the playoffs,” said coach Juan Carlos Osorio. “We can’t hide the fact that we need to go into each game thinking that we need to win it. (Tonight) is a massive game and hopefully the guys are up for the challenge.”
The Red Bulls (9-9-8, 35 points) are the top-wild card team, with Colorado, Dallas and Salt Lake all a point behind. Colorado sits third in the West, Dallas as the second wild card team, and Real Salt Lake _ whom the Red Bulls travel to on Thursday _ the top non-playoff squad.
“Every term is close now. We shot ourselves in the foot last game,” defender Jeff Parke said of their 5-4 home loss to Colorado. “Now this game, there are three teams right below us that can jump us; it’s in our hands. You have to get results. It’s like a playoff atmosphere now.”
With tilts against MLS-leading Columbus and at rival Chicago to close out the regular-season, they need three points tonight against a sad Toronto team that has a league-low 28 points and seven-game winless streak since Aug. 9.
“We just have to win. It’s a must,” said Dane Richards, who should start despite hyperextending his right knee Saturday. “Anything can happen on the road. That’s been happening right through the season, us losing on the road. Most important is Saturday; we just have to go from there.”
After resting Sunday and Monday and working with trainer Rick Guter Tuesday, Richards has practiced the last three days. He should start on the right flank, opposite Jorge Rojas on the left. After seeing his defense shredded in a 5-4 loss to Colorado _ pulling D Gabriel Cichero at halftime down 4-3 _ Osorio will likely switch to a 4-4-2 to combat Danny Dichio.
“Yeah the coach wants that, a back four. Since they have a pretty big man in the front it’s going to be pretty tough. But I know we have good headers too,” Cichero said. “You feel more (in control) with a back line of four, so that’s what the coach wants. We just have to be prepared for anything; that’s why we’re professionals. You have to know how to play with four or three.”
John Wolyniec is out with a groin pull, so expect to see Mike Magee start up top. Mac Kandji is still hampered with his ankle injury, but should be available on the 18-man team _ as could be Dave van den Bergh, a gametime decision following his hernia surgery.
This is the First XI I expect to see:
_____________Angel_____Magee______________
__Rojas___________________________Richards_
__________Pietravallo____Stammler____________
__Goldthwaite__Cichero____Parke______Leitcch__
__________________Conway__________________