Here are some of my initial thoughts:

* Kansas City is desperate for points

*Will they start new signings Herculez Gomez and Abe Thompson? FC Dallas what are you thinking moving Thompson?

* Jimmy Conrad KC center-back is teams leading goal scorer and should match up with Nate Jacqua and Kei Kamara up front.

*Does Davey Arnaud play up front with Josh Wolff or does he play in midfield? By the way Arnaud is from Nederland and another area player that has built a strong MLS career. He played at West Texas AM and left college early. A player like Brian Mullan that is relished and admired for his honesty, effort and ability.
If Claudio Lopez plays in midfield for KC they will have serious match-up issues with the Dynamo …….Can Josh Wolff produce something for KC?

* Dynamo without regulars like Brian Ching and Dwayne DeRosario will still put out a strong looking lineup. Expect four changes which seem pretty obvious if you look at who is missing.

*How do the Dynamo transition with all the changes? Seamless?

* The start time of 2pm is a real test for the fans and the players. What will attendance be?

On an additional note having called the HDNET game in Columbus last night with the Crew and Revs I have not seen Crew Stadium as passionate or excited in years. Yes it was a depleted Revs but that produced a 4-0 win and the Revs never laid a finger on Guillermo Barros Schelotto who was allowed free reign. Almost 17,000 fans turned out for a huge win.

HDNET and COMCAST have made a carriage agreement that will allow more MLS fans to catch games on the high definition station.
“We’re thrilled to have a partnership that will provide Comcast’s customers with top notch HDNET programming. This agreement between the two leading HDNET providers will help shpae the ever expanding world of high definition programming,” said co-founder Mark Cuban.
HDNET’s independent programming which includes an MLS GAME OF THE WEEK will now be more accessible to cable homes across the country. Glenn Davis and Marcelo Balboa are in their sixth year of coverage for the network.

KEY GAMES today:
NE AT COLUMBUS- a battle of first place in the Eastern Conference takes place at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Taylor Twellman expected to make his way back in starting lineup for Revolution while Guillermo Barros Schelotto the MLS player of the month and MVP candidate pulls the strings for the first place Crew.
Top of the East on the line today. 7:30 Eastern on HDNET

USA at Cuba: 8 Eastern on ESPN Classic
From Havana…the land of Hemingway, great rum and fighting Blue Marlin. Cuba coached by a German will try to rally fans who are getting free entry to the game. Politics aside the U.S. should not lose this one.

Tomorrow: Dynamo vs. KC at home
Streaking Dynamo look to continue to lead the west and grab that home field advantage in the playoffs. Squad will have a number of changes so expect Stuart Holden, Craig Waibel , Kei Kamara and Tony Caig to get starts. The game can be seen on Channel 55 at 2pm.
Wizards have local product Davey Arnaud who hails from Nederland and have acquired both Herculez Gomez and Abe Thompson in recent trades. Almost a must win for the Wizards and you would expect their newcomers to start……a rematch of last years Western Conference Final