The 2014 Major League Soccer season is winding down, and with less than eight games to play, the Eastern Conference playoff race is getting tight.

An extremely significant game will be taking place Wednesday between the New York Red Bulls and the D.C. United. This MLS soccer rivalry is widely known as the Atlantic Cup rivalry.

Historically, D.C. United has had the upper hand. D.C. United has won both meetings this season between the two.

New York Red Bulls

For the Red Bulls, time is running out. They are currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference at 8-8-10 with 34 points. Only the top five teams make the postseason in each conference, so the Red Bulls are in desperation mode with just eight games left to play. The Philadelphia Union are currently one point ahead of the Red Bulls for the final playoff spot.

Although the Red Bulls are just 8-8-10 this year, they have played very well at home. Their leading scorer this season is Bradley Wright-Phillips, who has 21 goals. It's just Wright-Phillips' second season with the club, but he's adapted very well. His 21 goals lead all of MLS this season thus far. Thierry Henry has been the most effective passer on the team with 11 assists.

Last season, the Red Bulls won the Supporters Shield Award for having the most points.

D.C. United

The Red Bulls may have won the Supporters Shield Award last season, but D.C United is in the driver's seat this year. D.C. United is the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a remarkable 14-8-5 record giving them points 47 points. Last season, D.C. United finished in last place with just three victories the entire season.

Argentina-born forward Fabian Espindola, who played for the Red Bulls last year, is having a fantastic season for D.C. United. The 29-year-old leads the team in shots taken and goals scored with nine. He also has a team leading nine assists. Goalkeeper Bill Hamid has only allowed 27 totals goals in his 23 games. Thanks to his supreme net-minding skills, D.C. United has allowed the fewest goals this season: just 30.

Head coach Ben Olsen is close to signing a long term contract with the team as well.

Where and When to Watch

The Red Bulls will host D.C. United at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. More than 20,000 people will be watching to see if D.C. United can tame the Bulls. This game will be shown live at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN2.

Predictions

D.C. United is the superior team, and their defense is the best in the league. On the other hand, the Red Bulls are one of the best home teams and they would love nothing more than to defeat their rivals at home. Expect Wright-Phillips to have a big game. Red Bulls win 3-2.

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