There’s a whole new year of Major League Soccer to look forward to, and the league’s first game should be a good one. Last year’s champions, the Los Angeles Galaxy visit a new-look Chicago Fire side at StubHub Center. Will the Galaxy showcase their dominance? Or will Chicago fight fire with Fire? Read on as we breakdown this season-opening clash.
Want to look at the bigger picture of the 2015 MLS season? Check out our complete season preview.
[sc:Soccer ]Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire Preview
Where: StubHub Center, Los Angeles
When: Friday, March 6, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Chicago Fire +475 at Los Angeles Galaxy -200, tie +270; total 2.5 – view all MLS lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Galaxy
[sc:Soccer240banner ]So begins life without Donovan. The legendary American, who owns the all-time record for most goals in the league (177), retired at the end last season’s cup final win. But Los Angeles remains dangerous offensively with Robbie Keane taking care of the front line. Keane recorded career-highs in goals (19) and assists (14) in 2014, and his achievements earned him the distinction of being the league’s 2014 MVP.
Now the new captain for the Galaxy, Keane could be up for a strong start to his season against Chicago. He’s scored three of the last seven goals Los Angeles has netted in their last three games against the Fire. There’s also Chilean forward Gyasi Zardes to add to Galaxy’s scoring punch. Zardes had the second-most goals among Galaxy players last season with 17.
While Los Angeles seem well-stocked at the front line, there may be a void in their midfield with Marcelo Sarvas’ exit. He was especially crucial in pressing on the Los Angeles attack and finished with five goals and eight assists last season. His replacement, Liverpool’s Gerrard, won’t be joining the team until July.
Without a prominent facilitator in midfield, the Galaxy may struggle at least for the first few matches of the season. If their offense doesn’t click right off the bat, starting goalkeeper Jaime Penedo will need to be as sharp as he was in the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. Penedo had three straight shutouts to open the playoffs, and collected a .560 goals-against average in five matches.
The Galaxy are 4-0-1 in their last five games against Chicago.
Betting on the Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire were not a dominant force in 2014. They had a league record 18 draws and just six victories. Offense was their major problem heading into the offseason, finishing with just 41 goals (fifth-worst in the league).
The Fire made sure to load up their guns this time around with three big designated player signings. Chicago now have Ghanaian striker David Accam, who bagged 30 goals in just 62 appearances over three years in Sweden. While Accam may miss the season opener due to a groin strain, his services may not be too missed with another African designated player Kennedy Ogboananike suiting up for Chicago.
Ogboananike bagged 19 goals in 55 games playing for Swedish club AIK Stockholm before joining the Fire. He’ll be joining what should be a potent attacking front which includes a third designated player in Scotland’s Shaun Maloney and veteran Mike Magee. Of the two, Magee is already a potent finisher in MLS with 22 goals in 39 appearances for Chicago.
The Fire also loaded up on their central defense with the addition of Brazilian player Adailton and ex-Columbus player Eric Gehrig. Captain Jeff Larentowicz is also moving to central defense to aid in tightening up the Chicago backline.
The Fire have not won a regular season opener in the current decade, going 0-2-2.
Writer’s Prediction
With both sides missing key pieces, expect this match to end in a draw (+270).
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