An overcast day (ah, the sun is just beginning to break through) and 68 degrees here in Carson – perfect for football.

Still, quite a few empty seats; it will be interesting to see if they fill in.

The New York Red Bull starting XI (4-4-2): goalkeeper Danny Cepero; defenders Chris Leitch, Diego Jimenez, Carlos Mendes and Kevin Goldthwaite; midfielders Dane Richards, Luke Sassano, Sinisia Ubiparipovic, Dave van den Bergh; strikers Juan Pablo Angel (Capt.) and John Wolyniec.

Not much in the way of surprises here: Mendes is preferred over Andrew Boyens who is on the bench; Sassano, who has been nursing an ankle injury, is fit enough to satisfy Coach Juan Carlos Osorio.

Mike Magee is among the options off the bench.

The Columbus Crew starting XI (4-4-2): goalkeeper William Hesmer; defenders Frankie Hejduk (Capt.), Chad Marshall, Danny O’Rourke, Gino Padula; midfielders Eddie Gaven, Brian Carroll, Brad Evans, Robbie Rogers; strikers Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Alejandro Moreno.

This is the same team that beat Chicago 2-1 in the Eastern Conference final. Former Galaxy players Ezra Hendrickson and Stefani Miglioranzi, as well as Pat Noonan are on the bench.

The game is on ABC.