Eric Alexander (white jersey) and the New York Red Bulls hope to make a push for a spot in the 2014 Major League Soccer playoffs. (Photo courtesy of the New York Red Bulls)
HANOVER, New Jersey -- It was about this time last year that the New York Red Bulls went on a tear that not only clinched a playoff spot, but also secured them their first Supporters Shield with a 17-8-9 record.
This season, trailing Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference leader D.C. United by 15 points, the seventh-place Red Bulls (7-10-8, 31 points) are just looking to avoid missing the playoffs.
After Sunday's 2-0 loss at D.C., New York sits outside of the post-season party. Currently, it trails the Columbus Crew (8-9-9, 33 points) by two points for fifth place in a system that calls for the top five teams in each conference to get a shot at winning MLS Cup.
"In the amount of games and the time that we have left, I think it's now," Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke said. " We have to pick up points and if not, we have to do what no one ever wants to do, which is rely on other teams behind you to keep losing. We're not in the mindset to do something like that. We want to take care of our own situation.
"Do I think this team is capable of making a run? Absolutely, 100 percent. Are we going to? I have confidence we will. I have confidence that we'll make the playoffs. We have nine games to prove that."
The Red Bulls also have the added challenge of competing in the CONCACAF Champions League. They won their only game thus far, topping El Salvador’s FAS, 2-0, at home. Their next CCL game is against the host Impact de Montreal on September 17.
"I thought last year we had characteristics, the mentality, the attitude," Petke finished. "We felt without being cocky, we felt were always going to win the game. That was from the first game on. We went on those runs. Yes, we proved that we could do that."
