Even the Revolution struggle with the odds

Yes, trying to figure out all the scenarios that would push the New England Revolution into the MLS playoffs might be hazardous to your health, and Joseph needs to be at full strength for the most important part of the team’s uncertain postseason puzzle: Winning the regular-season finale tomorrow night in Columbus, Ohio, against the defending champion Crew.

“Me and [goalkeeper] Matt [Reis] were talking, and I told him we’ll just take care of business on Sunday and pray for a little luck to go our way,’’ Joseph said. “Hopefully we’ll get in. The most important thing for us is to win in Columbus.’’

Even that might not be enough. The Revolution find themselves in a four-team tie for the eighth and final MLS playoff spot. With 39 points (thanks to a 10-10-9 record), New England is tied with Toronto, D.C. United, and Dallas. When you include Colorado (40 points), and Real Salt Lake (37), six teams are jockeying for the last two playoff spots.

Depending on how things play out, there are at least 20 tiebreaking scenarios involving the Revolution, but only two favor New England. Perhaps the team’s easiest path to the playoffs is this: Win at Columbus, and have three of the following four - Colorado, Toronto, D.C. United, and Dallas - lose or tie. If the Revolution can manage a tie against the Crew, New England would claim a playoff spot only if Toronto, Real Salt Lake, Dallas, and D.C. United all lose. A loss by the Revolution guarantees an end to the season.

The one positive about the Revolution’s precarious playoff position: With five key games scheduled for today, their game tomorrow (6 p.m., ESPN2) is the final regular-season match on the MLS schedule. So when New England hits the field at Crew Stadium, everyone will know what, if anything, is at stake.

“Going into Sunday, hopefully we’ll have a shot,’’ Reis said. “If you’re eliminated from the playoffs, then it’s only pride you’re playing for. But if it’s on the line, then you definitely want to leave it all on the field.’’

Reis and Joseph both joined the Revolution prior to the 2003 season, and have participated in the MLS playoffs every year since. New England’s run of seven straight postseason appearances - highlighted by runner-up finishes in 2005, ’06, and ’07 - is the longest active streak in the league.

Establishing a playoff-level of performance year after year makes this season difficult to stomach, said Reis, who spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy before coming to New England. The Galaxy made the playoffs all five years, giving Reis 11 postseason appearances in 11 MLS seasons. It’s all he’s known.

“If you’re not in the postseason then I assume your season’s a failure,’’ Reis said. “It’s disappointing that we didn’t keep it in our own hands, it’s disappointing that coming into our last game of the season we might be eliminated from the playoffs. We’ve kind of been through this situation the last two years, come down to the final little bit and we’re running out of players and we’re piecing things together when we should be running on all cylinders. It’s very frustrating.’’

The Revolution’s sketchy play the past eight games has left them searching for offensive answers. New England is 1-4-3 since Sept. 5, scoring only six goals over the eight games, and being shut out four times. They’ll take a season-worst 241-minute scoreless streak into the finale.

Injuries have played a pivotal role in putting the postseason streak in jeopardy.

Forward Taylor Twellman, the fifth-leading scorer in MLS history with 101 goals, has been limited to only two brief substitute appearances this year, as he is suffering concussion-like symptoms from a collision with Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin in August 2008. Midfielder Steve Ralston, the league leader in a host of career categories (minutes, games played, games started, and assists) has been out since tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament Sept. 26 in a 2-1 win over Seattle.

Losing Twellman and Ralston has been a 1-2 punch the Revolution haven’t recovered from.

“I think when you’re missing a guy like Taylor Twellman, that’s a huge factor,’’ said Revolution coach Steve Nicol. “We can cry all day about it, but the fact is we haven’t had guys available and we’ve got on with it.’’

Facing a must-win game is never easy, but Columbus might be the last team New England wants to see.

The Crew have taken the last three in the series, including a 1-0 win at Gillette Stadium Oct. 10 - when Columbus played without a slew of starters.

The last time the teams met in Columbus, 13 months ago, the Crew manhandled the Revolution, 4-0.

“They have a couple of guys who are difference-makers, and I guess you could probably say that the difference between the two teams is their difference-makers are on the field and ours aren’t,’’ Nicol said. “We’ve been blowing on fumes most of the season as far as personnel is concerned, but on the other hand, professional sports is about winning and losing.

“If we do get in the playoffs it will be a success, put it that way.’’

Michael Whitmer can be reached at mwhitmer@globe.com.