The Western Conference-leading Seattle Sounders FC will host the third-placed Los Angeles Galaxy at the CenturyLink Field on Sunday. Both teams will feature excellent offenses, with the Galaxy’s attack led by the star duo of Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan going up against Seattle and USMNT talisman Clint Dempsey.
While European teams will be busy trying to contend for Euro 2016 (preview and picks here), the North Americans will come out and play in Major League Soccer. Read on as the match between the L.A. Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC, Major League Soccer, Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle
When: Monday, July 28, 10:00 PM ET
Line: L.A. Galaxy +188 vs. Seattle Sounders FC +118, tie +227 – view all MLS lines
Betting on the L.A. Galaxy
The L.A. Galaxy have gone 3-1-2 in their last six matches, their most recent result a 2-1 loss to Eastern Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Galaxy excel with a 4-4-2 formation, allowing forwards Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan to get chances at goal. Keane (10 goals in 16 appearances) is the top goal scorer for the Galaxy. Meanwhile, World Cup-snub Donovan has been ineffective, with just three goals in 14 appearances. But Donovan has made up for his lack of goals with his accurate passing (83.5%), which has led to three assists this season.
In their previous match, the striking duo created multiple opportunities off the counter attack. Should they break away from Seattle’s defense, expect the wily veterans to threaten the Sounders’ goal.
Should the Galaxy need a fresh pair of legs to replace one of their starters, they have a potential ace up their sleeve in Bradford Jamieson IV. The 17-year old made his debut in the Galaxy’s match against Sporting and had an immediate impact. He supplied the assist to Keane’s goal after just four minutes of being on the pitch.
The L.A. Galaxy have the best defense in the league with just 16 goals conceded in 17 games, but they’re still without star defender Omar Gonzalez, who’s recovering from an injury suffered in the World Cup. The team has felt his absence, as they’ve given up five goals in their last four matches.
Betting on the Seattle Sounders FC
The Seattle Sounders are coming off a big 2-0 Cascadia Cup win over their I-5 rivals, the Portland Timbers. Seattle has now won its last six home games, and has kept a clean sheet in its last three.
Seattle forward Obafemi Martins (eight goals and six assists in 15 appearances) came back from an injury layoff as a sub against Portland. Right off the bat, Martins played a crucial role in the Seattle attack. The forward had a significant attempt from a cross from All-Star right back DeAndre Yedlin, but he couldn’t convert.
With Yedlin bombing down the right wing supplying chances for the newly-fit Martins, the Sounders’ league-best offense (35 goals in just 18 games) just got a lot better.
At the heart of that attack will be team captain Clint Dempsey, who has nine goals in as many appearances for Seattle this season. He found the net again in their most recent game against Portland.
Writer’s Prediction
The Seattle Sounders FC takes this one from the L.A. Galaxy.
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