The way the potential seeds and match-ups are currently slated, if the Crew is to make a deep run in the MLS Cup Playoffs, it almost certainly will have to get a victory at Red Bull Arena – whether that victory comes this weekend, or in a potential Playoff rematch two weeks down the line.
On the surface, that's an imposing task given the Red Bulls' dominance at home and the Crew's historical struggles at Red Bull Arena. All-time, the Black & Gold are 1-2-2 at the new home of the Red Bulls, with a 1-10-5 record over their last 16 trips to New York in total. Additionally, the Red Bulls are 10-2-4 at home this season.
Still, ripe with confidence from last weekend's comeback at PPL Park – another venue the Crew had traditionally struggled in – Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter is confident his side can put forth a good performance.
"Our job is to execute: whether we're at home or on the road, we want to have a good game and impart our style of play on New York," said the Crew boss.
"Our gameplan is going to be the same – just play our game and never get frustrated," said Tony Tchani. "Especially against two big guys like Thierry Henry and [Bradley] Wright-Phillips. I feel like we have to focus on those guys. If we can shut down those two guys, we're in good shape."
Adding to the motivation for this week is a chance for redemption after the Black & Gold's last trip to Harrison, New Jersey – a defeat that Berhalter termed the "worst loss of the season" earlier this week when reflecting on the clubs' last match-up, which resulted in a 4-1 win for New York.
"If you have any competitive bone in your body, there's certainly a factor that you want to make up for getting beat pretty badly," said Berhalter.
Continued Berhalter: "Hopefully I don't have to instill that [motivation]. Hopefully it's there. What we're going to focus on as the week moves further is to start focusing on our opponent, playing a good game and representing the type of soccer that we want to represent."
The way the standings currently shape up, there is a great probability that these two teams will face-off again in the First Round of the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. Where that game will be held, however, is up in the air – a win this week for the Crew gives it a great chance to host the First Round match. But it's also important to remember that the Black & Gold have not officially clinched an MLS Cup Playoff berth. While that might be decided for them pending Toronto FC's result on Saturday, a draw would be good enough at Red Bull Arena to simply clinch a spot and Berhalter said that creates an interesting dynamic.
"There are certainly going to be Playoff implications to this game. Depending on the result, one team could be playing at home in that knockout round. This is an important game for us."
But the Crew boss is also careful not to look ahead and assume that his side is safely through to the Playoffs. Firmly focused on qualification first, Berhalter stressed that his team has not flipped its goals to look beyond simply staying above the red line.
"The first goal's not even reached. You can't flip if you're not even there yet. Our point total's not even reached yet, so we're focused on that."
In the end, the Crew knows it has to flip the script on its struggles at Red Bull Arena sooner or later, and the Black & Gold believe that time is now.
"It's needed. I don't know if I've ever won there," said Justin Meram. "A lot of ties … I think this time will be ours."
