New York Red Bulls Stampede over the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2-0 Win

Harrison, NJ—With their playoff destiny in their hands, the New York Red Bulls took advantage of the absence of Los Angeles Galaxy players Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane as they stampeded the Galaxy in a 2-0 victory at Red Bull Arena.

By earning three crucial points, the Red Bulls leapfrogged over the Houston Dynamo for the third MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card spot. Despite both teams having the same amount of points, the Red Bulls hold the advantage due having scored more goals. 

By improving to 9-7-16, the Red Bulls have an outside chance of repeating as regular season Eastern Conference champions, as they're two points removed current Eastern Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City.

With two matches against Eastern Conference foes Sporting KC and Philadelphia Union, the Red Bulls can remain regular season conference winners if they win both contests, while both the Columbus Crew and the Union lose their final matches. 

Needing to demonstrate that they are capable of competing against a team of the caliber of the Galaxy, the Red Bulls as they registered a 14-13 advantage on shots, 6-5 advantage on shots on goals, and a 9-8 advantage on corner kicks. After being called for 10 fouls in the first half, the Red Bulls demonstrated their resiliency and composure as they were only called for two fouls in the second half. 

Leading the way for the Red Bulls on Tuesday night were Luke Rodgers and Thierry Henry, as they each scored a goal over the best team in Major League Soccer. Rodgers scored an unassisted goal in the 32nd off a rebound from Galaxy Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who had blocked Red Bulls Jan Gunnar Soli's header.

In the second half, Thierry Henry's 14th goal of the season in the 59th minute was enough to seal the win for the Red Bulls. By accepting a pass from teammate Rafa Marquez, Henry was able to soundly to chip the ball over Ricketts for a 2-0 lead.

Complimenting Rodgers and Henry was the standout performance of Red Bulls Goalkeeper Frank Rost, who recorded his fourth shutout of the season while registering five saves against the Galaxy. Along with Rost, the South Ward chanted and stomped their support for the home team.

From the opening minutes to the final whistle, the South Ward make it clear to everyone in attendance that, regardless of how the season concludes, they are not going away quietly. With one more regular season home game, it'll be interesting to see what kind of sendoff the South Ward gives the Red Bulls. 

Will it be a sendoff wishing the team luck in the postseason? Or will it be one of frustration where the South Ward demand the removal of Red Bulls Manager Hans Backe and Rafa Marquez?

Prior to their final home match against the Philadelphia Union on Thursday, Oct. 20, the Red Bulls will travel to the Livestrong Sporting Park to face Sporting KC on Saturday, Oct. 15. With the season winding down, the Red Bulls need to produce six points in order to be assured a playoff spot. 

Anything less than a win will potentially be the final nails in the coffin to a season which many Red Bulls Supporters have thus far considered an underachieving campaign. 

MLS Eastern Conference Standings as of Wednesday, October 5, 2011

1. Sporting Kansas City (11-9-12, 45 pts); 2. Philadelphia Union (10-7-14, 44 pts); 3. Columbus Crew (12-12-8, 44 pts); 4. New York Red Bulls (9-7-6, 43 pts); 5. Houston Dynamo (10-9-13, 43 pts); 6. D.C. United (9-10-11, 38 pts); 7. Chicago Fire (7-8-16, 37 pts); 8. Toronto FC (6-13-13, 31 pts); 9. New England Revolution (5-14-12, 27 pts)

MLS Western Conference Standings as of Wednesday, October 5, 2011

1. Los Angeles Galaxy (18-4-10, 64 pts); 2. Seattle Sounders FC (16-6-9, 57 pts); 3. Real Salt Lake (15-10-6, 51 pts); 4. FC Dallas (13-11-7, 46 pts); 5. Colorado Rapids (11-9-12, 45 pts); 6. Portland Timbers (11-13-7, 40pts); 7. Chivas USA (8-12-12, 36 pts); 8. San Jose Earthquakes (6-11-14, 32 pts); 9. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4-16-10, 22 pts)

Cesar Diaz covers Soccer for LatinoSports.com. He also writes for USSoccerPlayers.com; your source for American Soccer news brought to you by members of the U.S. National Team. Easily accessible, you may reach Cesar at [e-mail] and at Twitter at @CoveringSoccer.