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There's a sense of destiny for the Crew.

There's hope of an upset for the Red Bulls.

Both will share the stage today at 12:30 p.m. on ABC from Carson as the drama unfolds.

Me, I'm just hoping for goals.

There's hope: the Crew ranked in the top three this season in goals scored and allowed; the Red Bulls have the third-worst defensive record of any team to reach an MLS Cup and conceded 48 goals this season, 12th most among the league's 14 teams.

But New York also have Juan Pablo Angel, who has scored 33 goals over the last two years; that's more than any other player.

Is Red Bull Coach Juan Carlos Osorio expecting a lot of goals, too?

"No. This is a one-off (game). This is the final, so you cannot just go ahead and play forward and try to score too many goals and leave your back line exposed."

Crew Coach Sigi Schmid hedged:

"I think you're going to see a game where there is going to be chances. I can't ever promise goals because goals don't always result from chances, ask Salt Lake, ask Houston."

The central figure for the Crew is Argentine MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who does his homework, Schmid said, which has allowed him to thrive in a league where other big-name foreign players have failed:

"When he came to our team in our league he already knew what was going on. He knew how our system worked, he knew who the best teams were, he knew some of the players that were in the league. ... He studies the game, he's knowledgeable and he knows about it and as a result of that he respects it, and once you respect it you approach it in a good manner and with a good attitude."

Missed earlier posts leading up to the game?

*Here's a few words from New York Red Bull attacking midfield threat Dane Richards; and here's the perspective of his Crew counterpart, Robbie Rogers of Rolling Hills Estates.

*Three Crew players were named to the MLS Best XI.

*And former Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid is hoping for a happy ending.

So we'll give Schmid the final word: "To become the first coach to win the title with two different teams would be very rewarding," he said.

I'll be back with more later from Home Depot Center. Enjoy the game.

New York's consistently improving Jamaican midfielder Dane Richards, a speedy, but increasingly versatile and perceptive attacker, has been one of the most eye catching players in MLS this season.

Here's Red Bull Coach Juan Carlos Osorio on Richards:

"Objectively, I think last season he has scored one goal; this season he has scored four, (he's had) more assists and I think now he's a player capable of coming inside. Before he was just pure pace and getting in behind so I think he has added to his game and now he is a complete player.

Here's what Richards had to say Saturday ahead of Sunday's MLS Cup clash against the Columbus Crew:
Question: What do you see as the Crew's main threats?
Answer: Well, we all know they are good on set plays - in the box they try to find (MLS Defender of the Year Chad) Marshall. They're always capitalizing, so we've just got to mark up in the box and try to exploit their wing backs. They've got some competent defenders, so we've just got to be disciplined and keep them off the score sheet and finish when we get our chances."

Q: How do you think your speed matches up against them?
A: Well, my speed matches up against any team in this league. I've really got to use it tomorrow, got to be smart, when I choose to go, when I choose to stay back. I've just got to be smart hopefully, cause them some problems.

Q: How do you assess your season? It seemed like toward the end you were maturing before our eyes every game.
A: I'm happy it looked that way. ... Each and every game I just tried to do better. ... I started out with an injury and tried to come back from it and it was pretty hard, but I managed to get over it.

"The coaches are really happy for me and no exception tomorrow, so I just have to go out there tomorrow and do the best I can."

Here's what Dane Richards is capable of:

Playoff-bearded Robbie Rogers leaves Columbus Wednesday;

Robbie Rogers is not happy with the team's mandatory playoff beard - it feels weird, he said Friday at Home Depot Center.

And the demand for tickets for an MLS Cup played in the South Bay where he grew up is intense: "I'm not answering phone numbers I don't have in my phone," he said, observing players get four tickets apiece and that he can't shake down teammates for any spares. "They all need their tickets so I'm buying 10 more and put a limit at that."

The Rolling Hills estates product has had a breakout season becoming one of the best players on the best team in the league, an MLS Goal of the Year finalist and getting a national team call-up for the first time:

Q: Assess the season
Answer: I think that overall it's been a consistent and totally great season. I think this team is different from last year and its been a totally different experience because we've had so much success.

Q: Were you surprised with your performance this season or not?
A: I felt like I was capable of this, but I'm still not happy with where I am. I can still learn from these guys and keep improving. Playing for the MLS Cup - it doesn't get any better, but I still think I have a lot to learn.

Q: How has Guillermo Barros Schelotto helped you this year?
A: He talks to me as much as he can at practice and before and after games. His English has gotten a lot better. Last year he couldn't really tell me stuff except through (an interpretor). This year's been a lot of help and a lot different to last year. I know how he plays now, too, so it's easier.

Q: As a South Bay lad you must know how much this game means to Crew Coach Sigi Schmid.
A: I was around (the Galaxy), watching them play at the Rose Bowl. I've been to so many games here to watch them play and I know he was fired and stuff so I would think he would be a little bitter - I would if I got fired the way he did - so I think for him to be back here in front of all our families and friends with a chance to win MLS Cup - it doesn't get any better."

Q: Do you see yourself returning to Europe?
A: Maybe after next season or something. I've talked to the coaches and agents and we've decided I'm going to come back for sure next season so we'll see what happens after next season.

A completely subjective guide to some recommended pubs and restaurants in the South Bay especially for those in town for MLS Cup.

Courtesy of map-savvy klf.

Enjoy:

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If you're going to be in the L.A. area beginning Wednesday, here's what you need to know:

Wednesday:
*At about 2 p.m. the MLS Goal of the Year will be announced.

*At 4:25 p.m. the Columbus Crew arrive at LAX on Delta Flight 945 from Atlanta.

*From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Dolphin Park, 21205 Water St., Carson the Galaxy and Volkswagon host a pick-up soccer tournament with the Galaxy's Chris Klein and Chivas USA's Panchito Mendoza. Fans can have their photo taken with the new Phillip F. Anschutz Trophy.

Thursday:
*From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the Columbus Crew train at Field No. 1 at Home Depot Center.

*At about 1:45 p.m. on ESPNews the MLS MVP - either Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Landon Donovan (Galaxy) or Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew) - will be announced.

*From 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Road to MLS Cup Block Party at The Block at Orange with the MLS Cup championship trophy on display.

Friday
*From 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the Columbus Crew train at Field No. 1 at Home Depot Center.

*From 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the New York Red Bulls train on Field No. 6.

*Noon to 3 p.m. the Road to MLS Cup Block Party at the Third Street Promenade with the MLS Cup championship trophy on display.

Saturday:
*From 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the Supporter's Summit at the Home Depot Center Stadium Club with special guest MLS Commish Don Garber. Breakfast will be served. To attend call Mike Breton at footballermichaelbreton@yahoo.com or at 714-893-8312.

*8 a.m. to 5 p.m. adidas MLS 7v7 Soccer Challenge at Home Depot Center with MLS Players available for autographs and photo opportunities with fans and 7 v 7 Under-14 soccer tournament.

*Comeback Player of the Year and MLS Best XI announced at the Gala Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles.

Sunday:
*10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. MLS Cup Soccer Celebration at Home Depot Center with interactive games and live t-shirt screening.

*12:30 p.m. MLS Cup from the Home Depot Center live on ABC.

Note: The teams train Saturday inside Home Depot Center, sessions that are not open to the public, although the Supporters Summit is being held in the bar overlooking the field while the Crew train in the morning. Specific flight information for New York's arrival at LAX was unavailable,

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