The New York Red Bulls have to hope that Saturday's victory over FC Dallas, their first in more than three months, means they are beginning to right the ship in time to qualify for the MLS playoffs and make a run a league championship. If that is to be the case, this will be a critical week for the Red Bulls.
New York (7-6-15, 36 points) hosts Real Salt Lake (14-7-6, 48 points) Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena (8 p.m. ET, MSG+). If the MLS playoffs began today the Red Bulls would qualify for the final spot. They are tied with the Portland Timbers with 34 points, but ahead on goal differential. DC United is two points behind both teams, but DC has two more games to play than New York, meaning the Red Bulls cannot afford any slip-ups.
The Red Bulls hope to get about 60 minutes or so out of forwards Luke Rodgers and Thierry Henry. Rodgers is back after missing much of the season due to injury, and Henry missed Saturday's match with ongoing achilles issues.
RSL has a four-game unbeaten streak against New York, including three victories. Earlier this season Real Salt Lake took a 3-0 victory. The Red Bulls have not won back-to-back matches since late April.