Liverpool and English Premier League legend Steven Gerrard finally makes his highly-anticipated MLS debut on Friday night. The Los Angeles Galaxy will have Gerrard on the pitch when they welcome the San Jose Earthquakes to StubHub Center. Can Gerrard lead the Galaxy to a big victory? Read on as we break down this intriguing Friday night match.
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[sc:Soccer ]Los Angeles Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes Preview
Where: StubHub Center, Carson, CA
When: Friday, July 17, 11:00 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes – view all MLS lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are tearing through their competition on the way to the top of the Western Conference. The Galaxy have won three of their last four matches, with their lone blip coming against the San Jose Earthquakes on the road. The Galaxy are in prime position to exact revenge at home; all three wins in their run came at StubHub Center, outscoring their opposition 14-1.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Robbie Keane has been spectacular in the Galaxy’s three match home win streak, scoring four goals and assisting in three others. The Irishman scored a hat trick in the last match against Toronto en route to a 4-0 victory. Keane may be even better in this match with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard making his MLS debut Friday night.
Gerrard finally has his legs under him after playing his first 45 minutes as a member of the Galaxy in a 2-1 victory against Club America in a friendly. He finished with a shot on target, and according to Los Angeles manager Bruce Arena, “his passing was very good.” Gerrard’s partnership with Juninho, who has four goals this season, should help tighten up the Galaxy’s midfield.
The Galaxy are unbeaten in five of their last six matches against San Jose.
Betting on the San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes lost back-to-back games capped by a 2-0 defeat to Houston on Friday night ahead of this upcoming contest. San Jose is one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to conjuring up some much needed offense, ranking 19th among 20 teams in the league with just 60 shots on goal.
The Earthquakes should be feeling confident ahead of this match against the Galaxy. They already beat Los Angeles 3-1 on June 28. Matias Perez Garcia starred in that match with two assists to lead the Earthquakes to victory. However, the absences of Chris Wondolowski and Cordell Cato (who both scored against the Galaxy) due to international duty hurt their chances.
San Jose will fancy its chances against a Galaxy squad also missing a couple of key starters. Panamanian Los Angeles goalkeeper Jaime Penedo won’t be able to play due to international duty, while center back Omar Gonzalez won’t be on the pitch as well.
The absence of two of the Galaxy’s top players on defense should help San Jose forwards Sann Nyassi (two goals, one assist this season), Quincy Amarikwa (one assist) and Shea Salinas (one goal and one assist) find the back of the net.
The Earthquakes are winless in three of their last four on the road.
Writer’s Prediction
The Galaxy storm to a dominant 3-1 win. Create a betting account now and catch all the best action in Major League Soccer.
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