Oct 2, 2009 - 3:38 PM
0 shoutsBy MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer
New York (4-17-6) at San Jose (6-12-7), 11:00 p.m. EDT
The New York Red Bulls will miss the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons and haven't enjoyed a road win in nearly a year and a half.
The San Jose Earthquakes can relate to what they're going through.
In a matchup of the worst teams in MLS, the Red Bulls look to avoid extending their league-record, regular-season road winless streak to 26 matches Saturday when they face an Earthquakes club trying to win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
With a league-worst 18 points, New York (4-17-6) has been eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2002. While the Red Bulls have had moderate success at Giants Stadium, where they're 4-6-4, the inability to win on the road has hampered their season.
New York has been outscored 24-3 in going 0-11-2 on the road this year, dropping to 0-18-7 away from the Meadowlands since a 2-1 victory at Los Angeles on May 10, 2008.
"Three games left here and we're going to try to get that win that we haven't gotten in 16 months," interim coach Richie Williams told the Red Bulls' official Web site. "It's not perfect but the guys are at least trying to do the right things for the most part."
Things haven't been much better for San Jose (6-12-7).
Last in the Western Conference with 25 points, the Earthquakes are mathematically in the postseason picture, but making it won't be easy. They are 12 points out of the final playoff spot with five games remaining.
Like the Red Bulls, struggles on the road have been the root of San Jose's disappointing season.
The Earthquakes had a 20-game road winless streak, second-longest in league history to New York, before defeating D.C. United 2-1 on Sunday.
Ramon Sanchez connected on a free kick in the 58th minute to tie the score and Ryan Johnson's header in the 73rd helped San Jose to its first victory away from home since a 2-0 win over Columbus on June 7, 2008.
"It's been a tough season, so any type of positive result is great," coach Frank Yallop said.
The Red Bulls also are coming off an encouraging outing.
New York improved to 2-2-1 since Williams took over for Juan Carlos Osorio with last Saturday's 1-all draw at Chivas USA.
The Red Bulls earned just their second point on the road this season and Juan Pablo Angel became the franchise's all-time leading scorer in all competitions with his 46th goal.
Angel had missed the previous two games with an ankle injury.
"There's a lot of work to be done but we're working on it," said Angel, who leads the Red Bulls with 10 goals.
Angel scored in New York's 4-1 home win over the Earthquakes on May 8, but breaking the road losing streak at Buck Shaw Stadium won't be easy.
The Red Bulls are 0-2-2 in league play at San Jose since a 2-0 loss on Oct. 5, 2003.
From the Bleachers
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NEW YORK: 0
SAN JOSE: 1
Final
Oct 4 12:59 AM -
NEW YORK: 0
SAN JOSE: 1
End of Regulation
Oct 4 12:56 AM -
NEW YORK: 0
SAN JOSE: 1
Halftime
Oct 3 11:55 PM -
MLS UPDATE
NY RED BULLS 0
SAN JOSE 1
SAN JOSE PENALTY GOAL: Ryan Johnson in the 24th minute
Oct 3 11:31 PM
