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Wizards-Red Bulls Preview

Oct 1, 2010 - 8:11 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Kansas City (9-10-6) at New York (13-8-5), 7:30 p.m. EDT

While Thierry Henry will be back for the New York Red Bulls, it looks unlikely Rafael Marquez will be available.

Henry will return to the lineup Saturday night when New York can clinch a playoff berth with a home victory over the Kansas City Wizards.

The French superstar missed last Friday's 2-0 victory at MLS-leading Los Angeles with a sprained right knee. Red Bulls coach Hans Backe indicated Henry won't be able to play the entire match, but will see between 65-70 minutes.

Henry has two goals and three assists in nine matches, but his value appears to go much deeper that.

"He's Henry," Kansas City coach Peter Vermes said. "The thing that is very hard to measure with him is the experience in all of these types of situations and the craftiness."

Marquez, meanwhile, hurt his knee in practice during the week and the star midfielder doesn't appear to be ready.

"He knocked his knee a couple days ago in practice," Backe told the league's official website Friday. "He didn't train today. He is uncertain I'd say for tomorrow."

Juan Pablo Angel, whose 13 goals are the second-highest total in the league, will be available. Angel scored twice in a 3-0 win at Kansas City (9-10-6) on June 26, and the Wizards know they will have their hands full again in the rematch.

"It's always an honor when you play against world-class players; Henry, Angel, Marquez," said forward Kei Kamara, who has a team-high 10 goals. "At the same time, when we are all on the field, everything just kind of switches off in your head. You don't think about those things."

While New York (13-8-5) will wrap up a postseason berth with a win, it has its sights set on catching Eastern Conference leader Columbus. The Red Bulls trail the Crew by one point, and each club has four matches left.

"I'd like to win the Eastern Conference now to get the home field advantage," Backe said.

The Red Bulls gained a major dose of confidence by winning their showdown against the high-powered Galaxy. New York had lost its four previous matches against the teams with more points - Columbus, Los Angeles and Real Salt Lake.

Midfielder Chris Albright did not make the trip to California due to fatigue but will return to the lineup Saturday.

"Coach wanted me to recharge," Albright said. "Looking back on it, my body has felt really great. I'm surprised at how well it's done. But I'm coming off a serious injury and I just got a bit tired."

The Wizards are six points behind Seattle and San Jose, which each have 39 and hold the final two playoff spots.

Kansas City's five-game unbeaten streak (4-0-1) ended with last Saturday's 3-1 loss to FC Dallas. The Wizards have conceded six goals in their last two matches.