The Red Bulls can clinch a playoff berth by winning Wednesday at New England, where they never win and where last year’s playoff run ended. But at this point, just getting to the postseason won’t get it done anymore.

The goalposts haven’t been moved, but the bar has been raised. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year with a new sporting director, new coach, no superstars and a shrunken payroll. But the Red Bulls sit atop the Eastern Conference, the favorite to win the Supporters’ Shield as they lead MLS in points per game.

Now they have to deal with wearing the target instead of aiming for it.

“Now we’re the hunted, it does change things,’’ coach Jesse Marsch admitted. “I haven’t talked to them about it yet, and I don’t know if I will. But the reality is it does changes things a bit. The one thing for us is we have to maintain that chip on our shoulder. We have to maintain that we’re out to prove something. Even though we’re in first place, nothing is granted.

“It doesn’t matter because come playoff time, everyone starts from scratch. We have to fight your way through another series of games. It doesn’t matter if we end up with the Supporters’ Shield or if we end up sixth place in the division. It’s still going to be a dogfight come the end of the year.’’

And probably a dogfight Wednesday (7:30pm., MSG) — if history in any indication. The Revolution are missing star midfielder Jermaine Jones, but the Red Bulls are winless in 22 of their past 23 games in all competitions at Gillette Stadium. Thierry Henry’s career ended there when the Revs knocked them out of last year’s Eastern Conference final.

“It is going to be … for sure a brawl, and we’re ready for it,” Marsch said. “We’re excited for it, and these are the games that I think if you look throughout this season, we’ve had a lot of games where we’ve had a lot on the line – whether the New York [City FC] series, whether the series against DC – and we’ve responded in a really good [way]. Now it’s a big challenge for us again, big test, going into New England against a really good team that is in really good form.’’

The Revolution have won five straight, their form is usually tied to the availability of Jones, who is suspended. The US National Team holding midfielder had two tough tackles in last year’s playoff series that some felt could’ve been red card-worthy. His absence puts more pressure on Lee Nguyen and makes life easier on the Red Bulls’ midfield triumvirate of Sacha Kljestan, Felipe and captain Dax McCarty.

Kljestan has four goals and seven assists in his past nine MLS tilts and nine assists in his past 11. It’s no coincidence the Red Bulls have won nine of their last dozen games.

“He fully understands the expectations of what that [role] entails,” Marsch said. “When I brought him here, I envisioned him playing like this: very fluid, moving throughout the game, covering a lot of ground and being the brain of the team. Over time that’s continued to show, and he’s gotten better with that, so we’re pleased with where he’s at.”