MLS Cup Lineups
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.
About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
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