EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

No. 2 New England vs.

No. 6 Columbus

Records, including playoffs: Revolution 14-15-2, Crew 13-12-5.

Season series: Revolution, 2-1-1.

Playoff series: Game 1 Sunday at Foxboro, Mass.; Game 2 Wednesday at Columbus, Ohio; Game 3 (if necessary) Oct. 12 at Foxboro, Mass.

Update: The Crew is well rested after its unlikely sweep of the defending MLS Cup champion San Jose Earthquakes. The Revolution, meanwhile, won a playoff series for the first time in franchise history and is aiming to play for the league championship on its home field as MLS Cup 2002 is Oct. 20 at Gillette Stadium. Columbus needs to slow forward Taylor Twellman, the league’s leading scorer in the regular season. Revolution defender Carlos Llamosa is out for Game 1 as his suspension for “prolonged and aggressive dissent” in the Chicago series was extended.

Prediction: New England.