Fifth Time's The Charm? Revolution Look To Clinch Playoff Berth Sunday
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Revolution close out their regular season Sunday at Yankee Stadium, looking to do something they should have done weeks ago.
The Revolution are aiming to clinch a playoff berth for their fifth straight match, with a frustrating 0-3-1 streak over the last month keeping them from achieving that goal.
New England is in the postseason with a win, or they can sneak in with a draw and a draw or loss by Orlando City against Philadelphia. But the team isn't looking for anything but a victory on Sunday.
"We win, we're in. That's the mentality," center back Andrew Farrell told the team's website this week. "We want to take this big step."
The Revolution dropped their only match against New York City FC in New York, 2-0, back in March. They avenged that with a 1-0 win over New York at Gillette in July, with Lee Nguyen scoring the game's only tally to snap a five-game losing streak for New England.
The Revs can clinch fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a win and a D.C. United loss to Columbus. Doing so would give New England a home playoff game in the knockout round, scheduled for Wednesday, October 28 at Gillette Stadium.
Should they land in fifth or sixth place, they would hit the road for the knockout round on Wednesday or Thursday. If they advance in either scenario, the Revs would then host Eastern Conference Semifinal Leg 1 at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, November 1.
But first, they need to take care of business in New York. Stumbling to the finish line is a far cry from last season, when the Revolution finished the regular season on a 9-1-1 run. All those wins, and confidence, led to a run to the MLS Cup, where New England fell to the L.A. Galaxy.
They could certainly use a "W" on Sunday, not only clinching a playoff spot but giving them a little confidence heading into the postseason.
You can hear Sunday's Revolution-New York City FC match on 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2 starting at 5pm!