What You Need to Know About Leg 1 of the MLS Eastern Conference Finals Between the New England Revolution and New York Red Bulls

New England vs New York: It doesn’t get better than this.

For the fourth time in their history, the New England Revolution will face the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup Playoffs, this time for a chance to play in the MLS Cup.

The Revolution enter the Eastern Conference Finals after dismantling the Columbus Crew 7-3 on aggregate goals in the conference semi-finals. The Red Bulls defeated D.C. United 3-2 over two legs to earn a showdown with the Revolution.

To help you get ready for the match, here is what you need to know.

TV and Radio Information

TV: NBC will broadcast the first leg of the series nationally, starting at 1:30 p.m., with John Strong and Kyle Martino calling the game live from Red Bull Arena.

Radio: Brad Feldman and Paul Mariner will call the game on WMEX 1510 AM and SiriusXM FC, Channel 94.

Postgame coverage will be available on NBC and WMEX 1510 while Comcast SportsNet will air their post game show beginning at 9 p.m. Dalen Cuff will be on the scene at Red Bull Arena with reaction to the game from Revolution head coach Jay Heaps and Revolution players.

How Do the Playoffs Work?

The Revolution and Red Bulls will play a two-game aggregate goal series to determine the best team in the Eastern Conference. Game one will be played at Red Bull Arena, with the Revs hosting the second game on Nov. 29 at Gillette Stadium.

Whichever team scores the most goals over the two legs will win the series. In the event of a draw, the team with the most away goals will be declared the winner. If both teams are tied on away goals, two 15-minute extra periods will be played along with a penalty shootout if the series remains deadlocked after extra time.

Season Series

The Red Bulls beat the Revolution in both of their meetings this year, a 2-0 win at Gillette Stadium on June 8 and a 2-1 win at Red Bull Arena on Aug. 2.

Both games were played prior to the Revolution’s signing of Jermaine Jones.

Playoff Series History

This will be the first time New England and New York have met for the Eastern Conference Championship. Prior to 2014, the Revolution and the Red Bulls have met three times in the Eastern Conference semi-finals

In 2003, the Revs beat the team then known as the Metrostars 3-1 on aggregate goal in the conference semifinals.

In what many believe to be one of the best moments in Revolution history, New England came back from down 2-0 aggregate with 30 minutes to play in the second leg of the 2005 semi-finals to beat New York 3-2.

Entering the the second leg of the series down 1-0, a 59th minute goal from Youri Djorkaeff was thought to be the dagger in New England’s season.Less than 10 minutes later, José Cancela’s 68th minute goal cut the lead in half before Pat Noonan’s 73rd minute goal tied the game.

With less than seven minutes plus stoppage time to play, it was a goal from Khano Smith that completed the improbable comeback and advanced the Revolution past their rivals.

2007 saw the Revolution win again, this time a 1-0 victory in the semi-finals.

Listen for the Sound of Revolution Supporters.

While most of the stadium will be rooting for the Red Bulls, look for one section of loud Revolution fans. The team will be sending a large contingency of away support down to Red Bull Arena for Sunday’s match. 1,150 Revolution fans will be cheering for the Revolution in what is one of the largest supporters trips the team has ever had. The busses for the game were supplied by the Revolution while the team’s two supporter groups, the Midnight Riders and the Rebellion organized the trip.

What to Look For

The Key to a Win Might be Nguyen

Midfielder Lee Nguyen has been the spark of offense the team has been looking for after the departure of striker Juan Agudelo last season. The MVP finalist scored 18 goals during the regular season, the most for midfielders this year.

The Jones Factor

Since the arrival of Jermaine Jones in August, the Revolution have practically become a new team. With only one defeat since the arrival of the U.S. International, Jones’ ability to push the offense forward as a defensive midfielder and create scoring opportunities for the Revs have turned the team and the season around. The quality of Jones and Nguyen’s play will be factors in if New England will play past Thanksgiving weekend.

The Revs Like to Score, a Lot

During the semi-finals against the Crew, nine Revolution players recorded either a goal or an assist over the two game series.

The Rise of Bradley Wright Phillips

In his first full season with the Red Bulls, the English striker has been nothing short of phenomenal for the Red Bulls, scoring a league best 27 goals in 32 game.

Like Nguyen for New England, Wright-Phillips has provided New York with a scoring attack that was lacking.

The Revolution will also have to keep an eye on the legendary Thierry Henry who has been playing on the left wing and scored 10 goals during the regular season. He may be aging and retirement is rumored to be in the cards after this season, but Henry’s natural skills and talent are still enough to make him a threat.

A sign of the value that Wright-Phillips brings to New York? The team is winless in the five games he did not play.

Watch the Counter

A high scoring offense usually makes way for a high scoring counter attack. With midfielders Péguy Luyindula and Lloyd Sam add to the scoring threats of Wright-Philips and Henry, the Revolution risk dealing with a strong counterattack if they commit too many players forward or get caught up after a small mistake.

Photo Credit: New England Revolution