Tue Sep 16 20:14:18 2008

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Red Bulls ready for test against Crew

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Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Red Bull New York is unbeaten in seven of their last eight matches, including wins in four of their last six, but face a bigger test Thursday night at the Columbus Crew.

Columbus has also been hot, going unbeaten in four of its last five - a streak that started with four straight wins - to move into first place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.

New York has a few impressive wins during its run, including 3-0 over two-time defending MLS Cup champion Houston and 2-1 over Real Salt Lake last week.

But a win over Columbus would erase all doubts the Red Bulls (9-7-8) are a team to worry about down the stretch.

"I think the last six, seven games have been great for us. We've been looking more compact and more organized, more dangerous," New York striker Juan Pablo Angel said, "and it's right when we need it.

"Still, everything is very close there and we want to keep on winning games."

New York has taken sole possession of fourth in the Eastern Conference and has a cushion of five points for a playoff spot. The Red Bulls are seventh - out of eight berths - and are only three points out of a guaranteed spot.

Angel realizes a few mistakes could easily send the Red Bulls plunging down the standings and out of the postseason. That's why the mid-week game with the Crew - who have the best record in MLS - is more than just a measuring stick.

"Hopefully, we get into a safe playoff position sooner rather than later," he said.

Beating Columbus would put New York in great position with just five more games left in the season. However, the last three games of the year are at Real Salt Lake, at home against Columbus and at Chicago - three teams that will likely be in the playoffs.

And with just a 1-6-5 record on the road this season, New York has its work cut out for it this week. At least the Red Bulls know they can beat the Crew, but a 2-0 win in the season opener may not mean much anymore.

"They are red hot but you know, I think we have proved that we can beat them," said New York's Dave van den Bergh, who will miss the match because of sports hernia surgery. "It's a different team that they have and that we have but still, I think it's very possible that we can get a result out there."

The Crew's four-match winning streak was snapped at Toronto FC on Saturday, but considering the team rallied from an early deficit to earn a 1-1 draw was a big building block - especially after the team missed a potential tying penalty.

"Being able to come back from being down a goal I thought was a positive." Crew coach Sigi Schmid said. "Being able to deal with the psychological blow with missing a penalty kick was also something we needed to come back from,"

Columbus was also without MVP candidate Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who leads the league with 18 assists. He picked up a leg injury in training last week.

"Sometimes if you have someone with a little knock or injury you hold them off the turf [at BMO Field in Toronto]," Schmid said.

Even without Schelotto, Schmid has "never been disappointed about our depth."

Pat Noonan, who was acquired from New England in August, scored his first goal with the Crew in the 1-1 draw. Schelotto hasn't been ruled out for Thursday but his status is uncertain.

Still, Columbus (13-6-5) has the comfort of Crew Stadium, where it is 8-2-2 so far this season and confidence of its recent success - including the tie at TFC less than a week ago.

"It was a very good result ... [Toronto is] a tough place to play with the crowd and they play well at home," Noonan said. "Obviously you want to win the game but we're happy with the point."

New York would likely feel the same way about a tie on Thursday.