Decision Day presented by AT&T will feature games rife with implications, whether it's in the race to qualify for the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, seeding in the playoffs, or the chase of history.
But several teams will be missing players, sometimes key contributors, to suspension. A rundown of the players who will have to watch their teams' Decision Day clashes on the sideline.
Wayne Rooney and Allan Cruz, DC-CIN
Rooney won't feature against 2019's MLS expansion team at Audi Field as he'll be serving a one-game ban for yellow card accumulation. The English star has made 28 appearances in league play this year, scoring 11 goals and eight assists, leading the team in both categories.
D.C. are playing to wrap up a top four seed in the Eastern Conference. Currently sitting in fourth place, if they don't drop in the standings they will host their First Round game in the playoffs.
While FC Cincy are eliminated from playoff contention, they'll be missing Cruz, their leading scorer this season. The Costa Rican has seven goals in 22 league appearances, and is also out due to yellow card accumulation.
Brian Fernandez and Tommy Thompson, POR-SJ
The biggest game of Decision Day looks to be Timbers vs. Quakes at Providence Park. While both teams could reach the MLS Cup Playoffs, neither team has clinched and a win on either side would guarantee passage to the postseason.
Fernandez, joint-top scorer for the Timbers, cannot play after picking up a red card last week during a scuffle in the Sporting KC game. While the Timbers initially appealed the ejection, they reportedly subsequently rescinded it after new information emerged. Fernandez, signed from Necaxa in May, has 11 goals in 19 league appearances this year.
Meanwhile, Thompson is out for the Quakes after picking up a red card for a stomp on an opponent last week against the Seattle Sounders. While the tricky Homegrown hasn't filled up the stat sheet in attacking categories, he's reached a career high with goals this year, with two in 30 appearances in league play, while playing mostly at a new position at right back.
Roger Espinoza and Ilie Sanchez, Sporting KC (at FC Dallas)
While Sporting are officially eliminated from the playoffs this year, they are involved in another game rife with postseason implications, playing at FC Dallas, who are trying to get in.
They'll have to do it without two of their key midfielders, however, as both Espinoza and Ilie got red cards last week against Portland, Espinoza's in the same scuffle that led to Fernandez's red card. The duo have combined for 48 league appearances this year, with Sanchez playing in all but one league game. Now, make that two games out.
Xavier Arreaga and Nouhou, Seattle Sounders (vs. Minnesota United)
Another team with two players out, the Sounders will be missing two defenders. Arreaga got a red card last week against San Jose, while Nouhou has to sit due to yellow card accumulation. Nouhou isn't regarded as a regular starter, but he's made 22 appearances in league play this season, while Arreaga has been a steady presence in the back since joining from Ecuador's Barcelona in May, making 14 appearances this season.
The Sounders, sitting in third place in the Western Conference, are aiming to wrap up a top four seed and a home playoff game.
