Gaven, Rogers, Burns & Ekpo Out Of Contract With Crew

Now, this doesn't mean they are free agents within MLS. The rights issues are fairly complex. If the Crew don't want one back, but MLS reaches a contract agreement the players would be available in the Re-Entry Draft. Their rights would also be availabe via trade.

The P2010 Index tracks every performance of every player who suits up for the National Team during the 2014 World Cup cycle, using match ratings from the country's top soccer writers. The Index factors in recent form, strength of opponent, match type, and location, making it something like Power Rankings for the USMNT.

Gillette Stadium Before The Gates Opened

New England Revolution and the Columbus Crew met in the Revs last home game of what has been a miserable season. New England comes into this match with a record of 5-15-12 while Columbus is 12-12-8.

While the Revs are playing for pride, a win for Columbus puts them in the playoffs.

Columbus' Strategy Coach Roberto Warchyza employed the exact same 4-5-1 formation on Wednesday night that he used Saturday night in the Crew's scoreless draw at home against the Earthquake. Gehrig and Ekpo both played centrally in the midfield. Gehrig sat deeper than Ekpo especially when the crew moved up the field in attack.

It took a late equalizer, but KC moved their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 games, tying a team record last night with their 1-1 draw with Chivas USA. At times KC didn't look like they were going to get the result, either due to the offense not really clicking early on, or late saves by Chivas keeper, Dan Kennedy, it looked like the streak would end.

Houston Dynamo (4-5-6, 18 pts.) vs. Chivas USA (4-4-6, 18 pts.) Robertson Stadium - Houston, TX - 7:30pm CT
BROADCAST INFORMATION: KHOU 11.2 (ENG TV) FOX Sports Houston Plus (ENG TV) SportsTalk 790 (ENG Radio) .La Ranchera 850 (SPN Radio) San Jacinto Post-Game Call-In Show with Glenn Davis - SportsTalk 790, 9:45 p.

Starting Line Ups

Fire

GK Johnson

D Anibaba, Cuesta, Gibbs, Segares

M Oduro, Pause, Husidic, Nyarko

F Puerari, Chaves

Bench : Conway, Robinson, Ristic, Paladini, Bone, Barouch, Nazirit

Crew

GK Hesmer

D Miranda, Marshall, James, Gardner

M Balchan, Ekpo, Gaven, Meram

F Mendoza, Cunningham

Bench : Gruenebaum, Iro, Veeder, Burns, Gehrig, Rusmir, Horton

More photos » Otto Greule Jr - Getty Images

This is year three for Sigi Schmid with the Sounders, but does that really make this a year that must result in the MLS Cup?