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Red Bulls Vs. Chicago Fire: New York Needs Victory

See SB Nation's Once A Metro for complete Red Bulls discussion and analysis.

Last 3 Head to Head:

  • 3/27/10 NYRB 1 Fire 0
  • 8/8/10 Fire 0 NYRB 0
  • 6/26/11 Fire 1 NYRB 1

Red Bulls Top Scorers:

  • Thierry Henry- 11
  • Luke Rodgers- 6
  • Joel Lindpere- 5
  • Juan Agudelo- 5

Chicago Fire Top Scorers:

  • Dominic Oduro- 5
  • Marco Pappa- 5
  • Diego Gonzalo Chaves- 3
  • Cristian Nazarith- 2

The New York Red Bulls enter Saturday night's game against the Chicago Fire winless over their last five matches and winners of only two of their last 11. It is essential that the Red Bulls find a way to pick up three points Saturday as they are not currently locks to make it into the MLS Playoffs. In fact based on points per game they currently sit in 11th in the league. If fans believe this game is a gimme for the Red Bulls against the last-place team in the Eastern Conference, and second to last in the league, think again -- Chicago will come to play.

Six teams in the MLS have more losses than the Fire this season and another three teams have the same amount of losses. The Fire have been stricken by leading the league in draws this season and not being able to secure victories. The Red Bulls have battled a similiar fate this season. Although they currently sit third in the Eastern Conference they have 12 draws this year, one less than Chicago, and have been unable to win many games due to an often inept defense. With 10 games remaining now is the time the Red Bulls win the games they are supposed to and secure their place in the MLS playoffs. With the top scorer in the league, Thierry Henry who is currently tied with LA's Landon Donovan, the Red Bulls have to prove they belong with the top tier teams such as Columbus, Philidelphia, who just added Freddy Adu, Los Angeles, Dallas, Seattle, and Colorado.

Prediction: Red Bulls 2, Fire 1

Tune into the game at 7:30 p.m. ET on MSG.