Red Bulls vs. Chicago Fire: Preview, kickoff time, TV schedule and more

The New York Red Bulls will host the Chicago Fire on Saturday afternoon with a possible playoff spot on the line. The Red Bulls and Fire are currently tied for second in the Eastern Conference with 53 points, and both teams could clinch a playoff berth with a victory and a little bit of help.

Both New York and Chicago would clinch a playoff spot with a win on Saturday and one of the following outcomes:

• A Columbus Crew draw or loss against Sporting Kansas City on Sunday
• A Houston Dynamo loss versus the Montreal Impact on Saturday

The Red Bulls and Fire have met twice in 2012, with each team recording a home victory. Chicago won 3-1 in June, while New York managed a 1-0 victory in July on a fantastic strike from Thierry Henry.

New York enters the game with the highest scoring offense in the Eastern Conference, scoring 54 goals on the season. Its 44 goals conceded is among the worst in the conference, though, bettering only the Impact and last place Toronto FC.

The game is set to get underway Oct. 6 at 3:30 p.m. ET from Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. The game will be carried on NBC.