90 minutes. Or, perhaps, 120. Or, possibly, 120 and penalty kicks. That's what standing on the way of Metro making it into the second round of the MLS playoffs for just the second time in its history. They are in an unprecedented place, getting a tie in the opener of the two-leg series, going up I-95 knowing that everything is possible. One goal might be enough. One mistake might kill you. What will it be?

And isn't it appropriate that on this Halloween week, Metro will try to exercise the demons at their own House of Horrors, Gillette Stadium. After the Revs' new facility opened in 2002, Metro has a pathetic record of one win, nine losses, and three ties when visiting New England. And with that win coming at the pre-re-christened CMGI Field (the Stadium would switch names in the Summer of 2002), that leaves them with the 0-9-3 record at the Razor, with a seven-game losing streak to boot.

Among the Metro losses at Gillette: a 3:0 blowout in the final game of the 2002 season, when a tie was needed to make the playoffs. The 3:1 choke job in the 2005 playoffs, with Metro holding a two-goal series lead with just 22 minutes left. The 2:1 loss earlier this season, when a harmless backpass turned into a comical own goal... Comical to anyone but Metro fans.

Yet somehow, we have reasons to believe. Metro has played the Revs close the entire season, and even outplayed them at the Razor in that own-goal-decided match. (Yes, we know that outplaying doesn't count if it doesn't show up on the scoreboard.) And if one goes back in history, who can forget the historic match in 2003, when, in Tim Howard's last game with the club, the MetroStars stormed back from a second-half 3:0 deficit to steal a point at Gillette.

Of course, 2003 seems like ages ago. And that's the thing: the history shouldn't matter. Not that 2003 comeback, not the 2005 collapse, not one of the seven straight losses. It's a brand new game. 90 minutes. Or, perhaps, 120. Or, possibly, 120 and penalty kicks. Can the demons be exercised?