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Oct 17, 2009 - 2:03 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Chicago (10-7-11) at New England (10-10-8), 6:00 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Fire can secure a postseason spot and home-field advantage in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs with a victory Saturday, but the struggling club will be trying to take the three points from an opponent that needs them even more.

The New England Revolution enter the important late-season contest clinging to a small lead for the league's final playoff spot, and will be looking for more offense as they try for their second victory in eight matches.

Chicago (10-7-11) hasn't won since Aug. 23, going 0-2-3. The club, idle since a 1-0 loss at Los Angeles on Oct. 2, is still in second place in the Eastern Conference on the brink of a fifth straight postseason appearance.

"The most important thing is we control our own destiny. If we beat New England we wrap up the second-place spot," coach Denis Hamlett told the league's official Web site. "Whatever happens with the other teams, we will deal with it. We don't worry about what other teams do. We've got to take care of our own business."

The Revs (10-10-8) can also assure themselves of a playoff spot without any help - as long as they win both of their remaining games. But victories have been difficult to come by lately for coach Steve Nicol's club, which is 1-4-2 since the beginning of September.

With top offensive producers Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston still out, New England has scored one goal in its last three games, a 0-2-1 stretch capped by a 1-0 home loss to Columbus last Saturday.

"I think we have to make chances, first and foremost. I don't think we've made enough chances recently in order to score goals," Nicol said. "So first and foremost, we need to make chances, and obviously if we do that, then we're looking for somebody to bury it."

The Revs lead Real Salt Lake by one point and three teams by two points for the eighth and final MLS playoff spot. New England, eliminated from last year's postseason by Chicago, has not missed the playoffs since 2001.

"It's a huge game," Nicol said. "Three points is vital, and that's what we're after - three points."

That may be tough considering Chicago is a league-best 6-3-5 on the road. The Fire won 2-1 in Foxborough in SuperLiga play on July 15, and they outscored the Revs 5-1 in three visits in 2008, including playoffs.

Chicago may also be aided by the return of midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. With banged-up defenders Gonzalo Segares and Wilman Conde also potentially available, the Fire are hoping their two-week break has them in prime form to enter the playoffs with some momentum.

"For us, it was a good time," Hamlett said. "Given our situation, with all of the injuries we have, it's good. ... It gives us time to recover and get ready for the final two-game push."