DEMA ON THE STRETCH RUN 'We're going to see what kind of team we have'
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
The Red Bulls might have six games remaining in the regular season but for midfielder Dema Kovalenko, it's crunch time.
If the season ended today, the Red Bulls would be in the playoffs as the sixth out of eight teams. They would play the New England Revolution in the first round -- a home-and-home series.
But just making the playoffs isn't good enough, Kovalenko says. The Red Bulls have to strive for greater goals as they prepare for Saturday's game at the Chicago Fire (Fox Soccer Channel, 8:30 p.m.).
"We're going to see what kind of team we have," he said after practice Wednesday. "When games get tough, that's when you find out what kind of players you have."
The Red Bulls (11-10-3, 36 points) is in third place in the Eastern Conference, trailing leader D.C. United (15-6-4, 49) and the New England Revolution (12-6-6, 42).
The Fire (8-10-5, 29 points) is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, fighting for a playoff spot (Chicago is in the eighth and final position, if the post-season began today).
"It's going to be very difficult in Chicago because they need points and so do we," Kovalenko said. "They're mad from two weeks ago. They want to beat us. It's going to be a challenge. It's going to be a good test for us."
The Red Bulls edged the Fire, 1-0, Sept. 1.
With six games remaining in the regular season, there is little room for error.
"There's something on the line right now," Kovalenko said. "Two months ago, three months we lose a game and we say, 'Hey you know what, we always have next week.' Now every game is important, very important. Every point is important. So we'll see. We'll see what kind of players we have and we'll see what kind of team we've got.
"You're going to need a playoff mentality for playoff games. You have to be ready for each and every one of them."
Kovalenko doesn't care how the team accomplishes it.
"How we win? You know what? Sometimes I don’t care," he said. "These games are not going to be pretty. As long as we get results, that's all that matters."
Kovalenko felt the third-place Red Bulls will qualify for the playoffs.
"For this team, it should be not just making playoffs," he said. "It's a good enough team we have proved that we can play with any team in this league. We just have to put it together. It has been difficult for the players this year and it has been difficult for the coaches and Bruce."
Through the team's first 24 games, coach Bruce Arena has used as many different lineups.
"If you look at our games, I don't think we've played (two) game(s) with the same lineup," Kovalenko said. "Injuries, changes. Somebody does this, somebody does this. It's very hard having different guys on the field. If you play together for a while, you get used to get other. You know what's going on. It's easier for the players. It's easier for the coach.
"We're all here for one reason: to make the playoffs and win. That's the most important thing -- to win. Hopefully, we will do that. We have these six games. The most important thing is to put ourselves in a good position. Then you know what? Anything can happen in the playoffs. We can do that. Our team can do that. We've got players. We've got good enough players who can do that. That's why we have a special team. We have a special group. We'll see. Time will show everything. I'm sure each game we come closer to the playoffs we're going to get better."
Whether they're called the Red Bulls or MetroStars, this team has a history of one and out in the playoffs -- first round and elimination. The Metros did reach the conference finals -- the semifinals once -- in 2000.
"I want to tell you something. It's the worst feeling," Kovalenko said about getting eliminated from the playoffs. "It's a terrible feeling and I don't want to even think about that, when the other teams are playing in the second round, semifinals and you're watching. It's not in a good feeling."
