October 27, 2012
MLS SUNDAY
A look at the upcoming games

Toronto FC @ Columbus Crew, 3:00 pm ET (TSN)
The Columbus Crew will try to take the sting out of last weekend’s elimination from the MLS playoff chase with a season sweep of Toronto FC Sunday at Crew Stadium. The Reds are on the verge of a franchise record for futility, entering the weekend winless in their last 13 league games after a scoreless draw with Montreal last weekend. They also were knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday, with a 1-0 loss to Mexican club Santos Laguna. The Crew blew an early lead and lost 3-2 to DC United last Saturday at RFK Stadium, the fifth time in the last seven mtches that they have surrendered multiple goals. Jairo Arrieta has scored four goals in as many matches, and Eddie Gaven is on a two-game scoring streak.

Chivas USA @ FC Dallas, 6:00 pm CT (Galavision)
FC Dallas have not lost to Chivas USA since 2009, but have managed only a pair of draws this season going into Sunday’s season finale at FC Dallas Stadium. The Goats are in ignominious company, entering the season’s final weekend winless in 13 games, matching woeful Toronto FC for the longest active drought in the league. The Hoops were knocked out of the playoff chase with last weekend’s 3-1 loss to Seattle, but have gotten encouraging play from Blas Perez, who scored against the Sounders for his fourth goal in three games. The Goats’ lineup has been gutted by injuries to starting goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, defenders Ante Jazic and James Riley, midfielder Nick LaBrocca and forwards Juan Pablo Angel and Casey Townsend. A yellow-card suspension to defender John Valencia doesn’t help matters, any more than swirling rumors that coach Robin Fraser is about to be replaced. Even at close to full strength, Chivas had been shut out six times in their last seven games.

Seattle Sounders FC @ LA Galaxy, 8:00 pm CT (ESPN)
Seattle Sounders FC have beaten the LA Galaxy twice this season, by 2-0 and 4-0 margins, but will be making their first visit of the year to the Home Depot Center as the teams close out the MLS regular season on Sunday. Eddie Johnson and Fredy Montero have scored in both previous games against the Galaxy. The Sounders are coming off a 3-1 win over FC Dallas, Blas Perez’s 40th-minute goal was the first surrendered by Sounders netminder Michael Gspurnig in 370 minutes, nine minutes shy of the club record. The Galaxy are juggling key injuries and a crowded schedule including a midweek road win over Isidro Metapan in the CONCACAF Champions League, but got a boost last weekend from Edson Buddle, who made his first start since recovering from knee surgery and scored in a 2-2 road draw with Conference leaders San Jose.