The Red Bulls snapped a four-game MLS losing skid Wednesday, and Saturday they face Chivas USA (7:30 p.m., FSC) trying to head into the three-week World Cup break with consecutive wins and some much-needed momentum.

They’re finishing a grueling gauntlet of a dozen games in 42 days, one that has left their roster worn out and injury-riddled. But they come into tonight 6-5 for 18 points — good for second in the Eastern Conference and fourth in the league — and desperately wanting to go into the break on a high note.

“Absolutely, especially after a losing streak,” said defender Carlos Mendes, set for his first league start since having season-ending knee surgery last year. “Winning two at home and pretty much sitting on top in the East, I think that’d be great, so we’ve got to come out and play with confidence. That’s a big game. We need to feel good about the break.”

Mendes will step in for a worn-out Mike Petke, 34, who has played every minute this year. John Wolyniec will start but Salou Ibrahim (hamstring) to dress and make the bench. Dane Richards is out but rookie Tony Tchani, the No. 2 overall pick, should get his first league start at either central or even left midfield.

The Red Bulls lost 2-0 at Chivas USA thanks to GK Bouna Coundoul’s odious own goal. But tonight they have the edge in net, with Chivas starter Zach Thornton out and replacement Dan Kennedy sporting a 2.53 GAA. After the Red Bulls unleashed 21 shots in Wednesday’s win, and 10 on frame, if they can get the ball from possession-happy Chivas, they’ll get scoring chances.

Chivas USA has talent, but at a last-place 3-7-1 in the West and with only one win in their last five, they haven’t lived up to it. With reports of co-captains Sacha Kljestan and Jonathan Bornstein (who is at the World Cup) going to Belgium’s Anderlecht and Mexico’s Atlante, how focused will Chivas really be?