MLS

• Red Bulls, Revs renew rivalry

  
  

  East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - The New York Red Bulls and the New England Revolution renew their Eastern Conference rivalry Saturday at Giants Stadium in a Major League Soccer fixture.

  The last time the two teams met, the Revolution eliminated the Red Bulls from the MLS Cup playoffs for the third time in the past five seasons.

  Both teams are coming off losses in their last league fixtures, with the Red Bulls falling at Dallas, 2-0, after chasing a goal after the first minute.

  "That's my biggest complaint to the team - any team in the world that wants to be successful cannot concede a goal in the first minute because that has a great impact on the game," Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said.

  The Revolution split a pair of games last week, topping Kansas City at mid- week before falling to the Colorado Rapids, 1-0, at home. The difference in that game was a free kick in the 68th minute that was headed home by Nick LaBrocca.

  "We still didn't deserve to lose the game; the only way they were going to win the game was on a set piece, albeit a free kick that shouldn't have been a free kick," Revolution coach Steve Nicol, who is never afraid to mince words, said. "We had some half chances and could've scored, but we certainly didn't deserve to lose the game."

  Both teams will have decidedly different looks on Saturday then the last time they. The revs will be without star striker Taylor Twellman and veteran midfielder Steve Ralston because of injuries, while the Red Bulls will be without defender hunter Freeman and speedy midfielder Dane Richards, also because of injuries.

  The Red Bulls will probably get a boost, with star striker Juan Pablo Angel seemingly fit to play after missing last week's loss with a hamstring injury. Her should team up with Jozy Altidore up top for the first time this season, meaning the red Bulls offense should be a handful.

  New York center back Jeff Parke will also be making his return after missing last week's loss because of a suspension. Parke, Chris Leitch and Kevin Goldthwaite will be responsible for stopping the Revs new speedy attackers Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally, who have been instrumental in both New England wins this season.

  After Saturday's fixture the squads will be back in action when New England travels to Dallas on Thursday while New York hosts San Jose on April 27.

  04/18 15:59:33 ET