Kansas City at D.C. United
Location: RFK Stadium. Kickoff (ET): 3:00 p.m.(ET). Television: Univision. Satellite: Spacenet 3, Tr. 5.
Series History: June 20 at Arrowhead Stadium — Richie Williams was ejected for a handball in the box early in the match, and undermanned D.C. was no match for the Wiz, who romped 5-1; July 31 at RFK Stadium — Without John Harkes and Mario Gori, D.C. fell 3-2 to the Wiz.
Injuries: Kansas City — G Garth Lagerwey (left eye contusion) is probable, D Uche Okafor (strained patella tendon) is out; D.C. United — M Marco Etcheverry (strained groin) and M John Harkes (strained calf) are questionable, D Mario Gori (strained arch) and D David Vaudreuil (strained groin) are doubtful, M Jesse Marsch (broken ankle) is out, D Mike Huwiler (aggravated groin) is on injured reserve.
Of Note: Uche Okafor (injury) and Samuel Ekeme (suspension) will again be out of the lineup…. Look for Kevin Koetters and Diego Gutierrez to play in their spots…. D.C.’s John Harkes has been limited to simple running during practice, although his strained calf is healing….. With Mario Gori and David Vaudreuil out, look for Clint Peay to join his Olympic teammate Eddie Pope in back…. D.C.’s latest acquisition, Bolivian Jaime Moreno, will suit up for the match…. D.C. had possession of the ball for 55 minutes Wednesday’s game, but still lost.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
Kansas City — Ammann, Uderitz, Koetters, Bowers, Gutierrez, Klopas, Sorber, Preki, Chung, Takawira, Johnston.
D.C. United — Causey, Peay, Pope, Imler, Agoos, Kelderman, Medved, Williams, Sanneh, Diaz Arce, Rammel.
Prediction: Wiz get a series sweep with a 2-1 win.
Columbus at Los Angeles
Location: Rose Bowl. Kickoff (ET): 7:30 p.m. Television:
Sportschannel Ohio. Satellite: Satcom C1, Tr. 15.
Series History: Second-half substitute Jorge Salcedo had a goal and an assist to power the Galaxy to a 3-2 win over Columbus at the Rose Bowl May 26. Both Brian McBride and Cobi Jones were away with the U.S. national team.
Injuries: Columbus — D Mike Clark (slight hamstring pull, face laceration), M Marcelo Carrera (kidney stones) and M Doctor Khumalo (strained groin) are probable, D Ricardo Iribarren (bruised knee) is questionable, M Brian Bliss (strained Achilles, pulled groin) is out, M Shane Battelle (ruptured PCL) is on injured reserve; Los Angeles — M Arash Noamouz (torn knee cartilage) and M Andrew Shue (separated shoulder) are day-to-day.
Of Note: This will be Columbus’ first game under interim head coach Tom Fitzgerald, who took over after Timo Liekoski resigned on Friday…. The porous Crew defense must find a way to shut down L.A.’s high-octane offense…. One crucial matchup will be national team veteran Paul Caligiuri against the Galaxy’s midfield general Mauricio Cienfuegos…. The Galaxy are only 2-5 in their last seven games…. Jorge Campos will be back in goal today, after allowing just two goals in four matches (with three shutouts) during the Olympic soccer tournament…. Galaxy coach Lothar Osiander has moved Cobi Jones up to right forward, with Brad Wilson moving into the midfield.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
Columbus — Harrington, Clark, Iribarren, Caligiuri, Michallik, Thompson, Warzycha, Khumalo, Maisonneuve, McBride, Marino.
Los Angeles — Campos, Calichman, Fraser, Semioli, Vanney, Cienfuegos, Armas, Wilson, Jones, Hurtado, Karapetyan.
Prediction: Fitzgerald gets an inspired effort from the Crew, but L.A. prevails 3-2.