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Haitian-American Josmer Altidore score again to lead NYRed Bulls 1-0 victory over Chicago Fire

East Rutherford, N.J. -- He has become one of the most incredible stories during the stretch run for the MLS playoffs.

The New York Red Bulls' driving force toward the post-season doesn't even have a learner's permit and needs his mother to take him to and from practice and games.

But that certainly doesn't phase 16-year-old rookie forward Jozy Altidore, who doesn't need much tutoring on how to score a goal. Altidore struck again to keep the Bulls' MLS post-season hopes alive and kicking, connecting for the lone goal in the 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium Saturday night.

That gave Altidore an astonishing three goals in 159 minutes over four pro games as he helped the Bulls (8-11-11, 35 points) move into a fourth-place with the Kansas City Wizards for the final Eastern Conference playoff berth. K.C. (9-13-8, 35) played Real Salt Lake to a 3-3 tie Saturday night.

"I suspect this whole thing as usual will go down to the last day," said Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena, obviously referring to the Bulls' regular-season finale against the Wizards at the stadium Oct. 14.

The second-place Fire (12-10-8, 44), who had captured the Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup title Wednesday night, was the hottest MLS club with an 8-1-1 mark in its last 10 games.

Arena can thank Altidore for that. The Newark, N.J. native certainly has impressed his coach.

"He's calmed me down a little bit," he said. "He's a very mature young man. I'm very surprised with the kind of composure he has."

Added Altidore: "John Harkes (assistant coach) told me to go out there and just have fun, relax and play. It is a big game. We all know that. We just have to relax and play our game. That's what we did tonight."

Arena said he decided to give Altidore his first start "because he's proven to be one of our better attacking players."

Of course, Arena's attacking options were limited because Youri Djorkaeff was on an official visit with French president Jacques Chirac in Armenia Edson Buddle was out with a toe injury.

Altidore's rise from just another rookie to an offensive force has been a meteoric one.

Two weeks ago, Altidore scored the lone goal in a 1-0 triumph over the Columbus Crew, which was the MLS goal of the week.

Last week he connected for the last goal in the Red Bulls' 4-3 loss at D.C. United.

On Saturday night Altidore's latest goal wasn't as spectacular as his Columbus score, but it was just as important and dramatic. This time he slotted home a Marvell Wynne cross from the right wing from three yards past goalkeeper Matt Pickens in front of a crowd of 15,835.

"I realized I had to get into the box because he's (Wynne) probably the fastest guy in the league," Altidore said. "I figured I had to get into the box and he was going to put it in. He gave it to me on a silver platter. All I had to do was be there."

Altidore, who was talking to his mother Gisele before the media swarmed around him and his locker, was ecstatic.

"It's great," he said. "I mean this feeling is unbelievable. I'll never get sick of it or used to it. It's a great feeling to score a game-winning goal for your team."

Wynne, however, did not enjoy such a happy ending. He was red-carded for his second yellow card of the match in the 81st minute. That means he will miss Saturday?s game at the Colorado Rapids.

"It was pretty harsh," Arena said of the cards.

In a marked contrast to other recent efforts, the Red Bulls came out strong in the opening half.

"I think the guys played quite well for 90 minutes," Arena said. "It's been our most consistent game to date."

The Red Bulls outshot the Fire, 14-4, and allowed only one shot on goal. Goalkeeper Jon Conway took care of that opportunity, smothering Ivan Guerrero's shot at the top of the penalty area in the 45th minute.