Opponent--Columbus Crew.Site--Ohio Stadium, Columbus.Time--4:30 PDT.TV--Channel 5.Radio--KTNQ (1020).Records--Galaxy...

Opponent--Columbus Crew.

Site--Ohio Stadium, Columbus.

Time--4:30 PDT.

TV--Channel 5.

Radio--KTNQ (1020).

Records--Galaxy 10-14; Crew 11-14.

Record vs. Crew--1-1.

Galaxy update--This should prove an interesting “homecoming” for defender Paul Caligiuri, who is returning to Columbus for the first time since suing to leave the team and join the Galaxy. Goals could be difficult to come by today;, leading scorer Welton will miss the game because of a right-ankle sprain and midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos, the team’s only real creative force, is sidelined because of torn cartilage on the left side of his rib cage. The Galaxy, in fourth place in the Western Conference, is only two points ahead of the San Jose Clash in the scramble for the conference’s final playoff berth. Cobi Jones, injured the last time the teams met, and Harut Karapetyan will have to pick up the offensive slack caused by Welton’s absence and Eduardo Hurtado’s less-than-spectacular season. The Galaxy is coming off a 5-3 loss to Cruz Azul in the final of the CONCACAF Cup of Champions.

Crew update--Having recovered from a midseason tailspin, Columbus finds itself in third place in the Eastern Conference but not yet guaranteed a playoff berth. U.S. national team goalkeeper Brad Friedel is holding opponents to only 1.36 goals a game. U.S. national team defenders Thomas Dooley and Mike Lapper did an effective job in containing Hurtado the last time the teams met. Columbus’ difficulties come at the other end of the field. The team has scored only 33 goals, third-fewest in Major League Soccer, and its scoring prospects are not helped by striker Brian McBride’s questionable status. The U.S. national team forward has a sprained right ankle. The Crew has won three of its last four and is 9-1 overall in August over two seasons. It is coming off a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution.