The neutral host of MLS Cup will occur at least one more year, unless the Los Angeles Galaxy or Chivas USA winds up in the MLS Cup Final. Carson, CA's Home Depot Center will host the Final with the Galaxy being the presenting team (their colors will be used in Cup and Supporter Summit signage). The game will have a 6 PM Pacific start time and be shown on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and TSN getting broad national multi-lingual coverage.

While there will be much gnashing of teeth through the blogosphere about the time, particularly from East Coast teams, the fact is that the NFL only has one game at that time, where as daytime would be a full slate of the other football. Saturday was a non-starter as ESPN would be packed with college football.

For us here in Seattle Sounders land it means a West Coast opportunity (3 time zone trips are problems in US sports), cheap plane tickets and a decent time for viewing. There would be no perfect solutions. No matter the day in late November or early December there were going to be scheduling conflicts with more significant sports in America. But at this time, on this day, the MLS Cup Final will be on the most significant sports station in the world and in a venue that should have perfect weather for soccer, now if only they can keep the lights on...