The New York Red Bulls are playing for the Supporters' Shield.
With four points separating them from Atlanta United FC, who they face on Sunday at Red Bull Arena, they know the importance of three points out of that match -- and taking that through the final stretch of the season.
"I mean, if there is any chance of us winning a trophy, we are going for it," Aaron Long said. "First and foremost is beating Atlanta. We want the Supporters’ Shield for sure, there is no doubt about that. There is no resting players or rotation right now, it's going full force for Atlanta, getting the three points making the race as tight as it can be."
Following Atlanta, the Red Bulls travel to take on San Jose and Philadelphia, before returning home for the season finale against Orlando and the 2018 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
"If you are going for the Cup, you are going for the Shield," Head Coach Chris Armas said. "You are trying to win games and you are trying to improve. Whether we are trying different formations or are trying different guys, we are trying to win every game from here on out. I think it goes hand and hand, we are trying to go into the playoffs as sharp as we can, as fit as we can."
Kemar Lawrence said the trust between players is what makes this team special -- and will help them battle for the Shield and MLS Cup.
"I feel like we are just ready. Each player trusts the player next to them and that’s a big thing. That’s a key about this team," Lawrence said. "We have a trust level that we are working on and we have guys playing in National teams week in and week out, so I feel like everyone is just ready to lock stuff down and go for a title, go for a Shield, anything that is available to win."
Despite already locking up a spot in the postseason, with the Shield and MLS Cup still to play for, New York will take things one game at a time and be sure to attack them, 100 percent, according to Armas.
"We are just trying to get ourselves right, which means we are going after every game," Armas said.
