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Revolution-Chivas USA Preview

Sep 10, 2010 - 1:50 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

New England (7-12-3) at Chivas USA (6-12-4), 10:30 p.m. EDT

Returning to the playoffs is a dim prospect for the New England Revolution and Chivas USA. The clubs may have an even bleaker outlook after facing each other at The Home Depot Center on Friday night.

The Revolution (7-12-3) are eight points out of playoff position, putting their franchise-record postseason streak in serious jeopardy with eight games to play. They've qualified for the playoffs for eight consecutive years, reaching the MLS Cup four times.

Chivas USA (6-12-4) is in danger of seeing its four-year postseason streak end, sitting 10 points out of a playoff spot.

"We have to win the next eight games," defender Mariano Trujillo told Chivas' official website. "We still have a chance to make it to the playoffs if we win. We have to do our jobs."

Chivas' playoff chances took a severe blow as it was routed 3-0 by Colorado on Saturday, mustering one shot on goal in the game while allowing all the scoring in a 29-minute span of the second half.

"In the second half we made a lot of mistakes," Trujillo said. "We were not able to control the game. We could not keep the ball. We were losing the ball right away and we got tired. They capitalized their chances."

Chivas has scored a Western Conference-low 23 goals, getting two - one on a penalty kick - during a 1-3-1 stretch.

The club, though, hasn't had trouble scoring against the Revolution. Chivas registered a season high in goals in a 4-0 win at New England on May 5 and won 2-0 in the most recent matchup at The Home Depot Center last Sept. 13.

Justin Braun, who scored in May's meeting, is expected to be back in Chivas' lineup after he was used off the bench for the final 31 minutes against the Rapids. The forward leads the club with a career-high eight goals but has one in the last five games.

New England appears to have solved its offensive issues after doing all of its scoring in an 11-minute span of the second half to rally for a 3-1 win over Seattle on Saturday. The Revolution were outscored 8-3 in losing their previous three.

"When you fall, you get frustrated. But you've got to keep going, trying to make sure that when you get the chance, you score a goal," said forward Kheli Dube, who notched his first goal of the season.

The Revs are 0-7-1 in their last eight road games in league play.