Struggling Red Bulls and Revolution seek vital win

Foxborough, MA – Red Bull New York and the New England Revolution have both struggled of late in Major League Soccer play.

The two teams will face each other Saturday at Gillette Stadium looking to get back to winning ways.

Despite boasting one of the most impressive and expensive lineups in the league, the Red Bulls have largely underachieved this season, falling to fifth place in the Eastern Conference. They are tied with D.C. United with 31 points on the season.

New York has three losses and three draws from its last six MLS matches. The club's most recent win came in a 5-0 rout of Toronto FC on July 6th. In its last 18 regular season matches, New York has only managed two wins, going 2-5-11 over that stretch.

In New York's last match, it earned a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire at Red Bull Arena behind a second half equalizer from Joel Lindpere. It was the club's 13th draw of the season, the second most in the league after Chicago's 15 ties.

On the fringe of missing out on the playoffs, it is quickly becoming crunch time for the Red Bulls. With limited games remaining, points will be at a premium for the remainder of the season.

Defender Chris Albright acknowledged the team's situation.

"We fully expect to make the playoffs," Albright said. "That's our expectation. We know it's sort of time to kick it in. We've put ourselves in a position where points are imperative, not a luxury."

The Revolution have not faired much better in recent form, as they are winless in their last five MLS matches.

New England's last win came on July 20th when it defeated D.C. United 1-0 at RFK Stadium for its only road win of the season.

Managing just four wins thus far in 2011, the 'Revs occupy eighth place in the East with 22 points from 25 matches.

New England is coming off of a tough 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo that saw the Revolution concede a late equalizer.

"To lose the two points in the 90th minute obviously sticks in the throat, but if we're honest we were under a lot of pressure [Wednesday night] and we stood up well, but we just couldn't hang on at the end," said Revolution head coach Steve Nicol.

In their previous meeting this season, the Red Bulls defeated the Revolution 2-1 at Red Bull Arena with Thierry Henry netting the game-winner. The French striker currently sits in first in MLS scoring with 12 goals on the season.