FS1 and ESPN have made their #DecisionDay decisions.
For MLS's first grand finale #DecisionDay -- which takes place on Sunday, October 25, and features simultaneous kick off times -- FS1 will broadcast Columbus Crew SC vs. D.C. United, which pits #3 vs. #2 in the Eastern Conference with huge ramifications for seeding in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The match will kick off at 5 pm ET.
United hold just a one point lead over Crew SC in the standings, meaning both sides will be desperate for a result that secures 2nd place in the East, thereby avoiding the Knockout Round and earning an automatic berth in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Since the Knockout Round was introduced to the MLS playoff format in 2011, only one year (2012) has a club emerged from the Knockout Round and reached the final.
#DecisionDay will see all the other Eastern Conference matches likewise kick off at 5 pm ET. They will be broadcast on local networks and on MLS LIVE.
FS1, during its broadcast of CLB-DC, will have cut-ins to other matches as key events (e.g., goals, red cards) happen.
In the Western Conference, ESPN will broadcast Sporting Kansas City vs. LA Galaxy, kicking off at 7 pm ET.
The battle between the two clubs -- winners of the past four MLS Cup titles: LA in 2011, 2012, and 2014; SKC in 2013 -- could have similar seeding ramifications as in the East.
Currently, the Galaxy are in second place, three points ahead of 6th-place Sporting. But SKC have a game in hand: They will host the last-place Colorado Rapids on Wednesday. A win will put SKC level with the Galaxy on points, making the #DecisionDay clash even more tantalizing as both sides fight to avoid the Knockout Round.
The remaining four Western Conference matches on #DecisionDay will also kick off at 7 pm ET and will be broadcast on local networks and on MLS LIVE.
Similar to the FS1 show, the ESPN broadcast of SKC-LA will have cut-ins to other matches as the most important events take place.
