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United begins crucial stretch against Chicago

Oct 14, 2011 - 8:22 PM Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - D.C. United begins a vital three-game homestand to finish the season on Saturday when the club hosts the Chicago Fire in a match full of playoff implications.

United brings a three-game losing streak into the contest, but will play its final three games at home against Chicago, Portland and Sporting Kansas City in an effort to climb into the playoffs.

Ben Olsen's team is currently five points back of Red Bull New York and the Houston Dynamo for the final playoff spot, but with a game in hand on both sides, the club knows that wins in its final three games could be enough to sneak into the postseason.

The team's last result, a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, has left them with plenty of work to do, but Olsen doesn't think that the task at hand is impossible.

"It's pretty clear now what we have to do, so there's a positive," Olsen said following the match. "If you think three games is a positive, but why not? We're going home, were playing teams that are certainly beatable and it's a big task but it's one we can certainly do, [but] not if we give up goals in the first minute of each half."

The Fire have even less of a chance at reaching the postseason following a 2-1 defeat to FC Dallas on Wednesday, leaving the team six points adrift of a postseason berth with two games to play.

A loss or a draw against United on Saturday would eliminate Chicago, but even a win will likely not be enough to keep the team alive.

Chicago had won three straight before a draw and a loss in its last two matches, and even though the odds are long that the Fire will reach the postseason, interim coach Frank Klopas is still looking for a strong finish to the campaign.

"We have to finish strong. Every time we have an opportunity to step on the field and train or play, it's all about improving as a team," said Klopas. "We don't believe in excuses. We look at this game and it's behind us. There's nothing we can do about it. We can only look forward. Starting right now. That's all we can do. Every opportunity we get, we're looking to improve as a team."