What You Need to Know About Leg 2 of the MLS Eastern Conference Finals Between the New England Revolution and New York Red Bulls

Editor’s Note: Some information in this article was provided by New England Revolutions Communications.

The New England Revolution are now 90 minutes away from their first MLS Cup appearance since 2007.

After taking care of business in New Jersey, the Revolution return home holding a precious 2-1 lead over the Red Bulls on aggregate goals.

Teal Bunbury’s curling shot in the 17th minute gave the Revs a 1-0 lead but Bradley Wright-Phillips’ rebound goal in the 27th minute tied the game at 1-1.

Jermaine Jones would give the Revs the win in 85th minute, making the most of a counter attack with Bunbury and Lee Nguyen earning assists.

With the win, New England finds themselves in the driver’s seat but the job is only half done.

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

Broadcast Information

Television: NBC Sports Network will air the game nationally. John Strong will handle play-by-play duties with Kyle Martino as the analyst. Russ Thaler will host the broadcast.

Radio: Radio coverage is provided by 98.5 The Sports Hub and SiriusXM FC Channel 94. Revolution play by play man Brad Feldman and analysis will call the game Paul Mariner while Jessie Coffield will host the pregame show.

Postgame: At the conclusion of the match Dalen Cuff will host the postgame show on Comcast Sportsnet.

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 was 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.

Where Do We Stand?

After one leg, the Revolution lead 2-1. While the Revs have a lead, the series is certainly not over. Here is a summary of what will happen based on the result of Saturday’s game:

• New England wins, draws, or loses 1-0: New England advance to the MLS Cup.
• New York wins by two or more goals: New York advances to the MLS Cup.
• New York wins by one goal and scores three or more goals: New York advances to the MLS Cup.
• New York wins 2-1: Two extra time periods of 15 minutes will be played, following by penalty kicks if the series remains tied on aggregate goals

Regular 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.

It’s Going to be a Packed House

The Revs are looking for another record breaking crowd for leg two of the series. During leg 2 of the semi-finals against the Crew, the 20,000+ at the game was an all time best for a post season soccer game at Gillette Stadium.

As of Friday night, very few tickets remain in the lower bowl with seats now available in the 200 level.

According to Revolution President Brian Bilello, 25,000-30,000 fans are expected attend Saturday’s game.

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.

During leg one, Jones was a factor in both Revolution goals, assisting on the first one and scoring on the second one.

The quality of Jones and Nguyen’s play will play a big role in deciding if New England plays for the MLS Cup.

Attack, Don’t Defend

The Revolution will have to find that delicate balance between attack and defending. With New York to likely push for goals, New England can’t afford to sit back and absorb offensive pressure. At the same time, the Revs can’t get caught on a counter while trying to attack. It will be up to defensive midfielders Jones and Braintree’s Scott Caldwell to control the game between the boxes and the midfield of Nguyen, Bunbury, and Kaylen Rowe to push the Revs foward and score the goal needed to put away New York.

The Fall of Bradley Wright Phillips

Wright-Phillips found himself with one too many yellow cards last week, earning himself a suspension for yellow card accumulation. The one-game ban means that the Red Bulls will be without their best player and highest scorer of the 2014 campaign. The Red Bulls will have to rely on Australian international Tim Cahill to provide a spark up top. Last year Cahill scored 11 goals for the Red Bulls but was fairly quiet this season with only two.

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

Thierry Henry’s Gillette Stadium Debut

The French legend’s first game in Foxborough may be his last. With his team behind, Henry told reporters this week that he will play on the turf of Gillette Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Due to an issue with his achilles, Henry has never played on the road against New England and has rarely played on other turf fields in the league.

Henry, who has been playing on the left wing and scored 10 goals during the regular season, may be aging and retirement is rumored to be in the cards after this season, but stil has enough natural skills and talent to make him a threat.

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 threat of 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. Nov 23, 2014; Harrison, NJ, USA; New England Revolution midfielder Jermaine Jones (13) (right) is congratulated by midfielder Scott Caldwell (6) after scoring the game-winning goal in the 85th minute against the New York Red Bulls during the Eastern Conference Championship at Red Bull Arena. The Revolution defeated the Red Bulls 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports.