The Vancouver Whitecaps are on fire, winning three-straight since losing their season opener. The same can’t be said for the defending champions, Los Angeles. The Galaxy have yet to win this season, most recently losing 1-0 to DC United on Saturday.
Can Los Angeles shake off the bad performances to get one on the win column? Read on for a complete preview of this Western clash.
[sc:Other240banner ]It’s been a promising start to the season for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Taking the full three points against a powerhouse like Los Angeles would give them plenty of confidence along with a top spot atop the highly-competitive Western Conference. In the meantime, the Galaxy need a victory to help jumpstart their season.
Betting on the Vancouver Whitecaps
It was quite a Vancouver debut for Robert Earnshaw, who netted a stoppage-time, game-winning goal against Portland on Saturday night. The goal put them in second place in the Western Conference with a 2-1 victory.
The presence of new designated player Octavio Rivero, who has scored three of Vancouver’s five goals this season, has given the ‘Caps’ offense a boost. Expect Rivero to spearhead a Vancouver offense against a short-handed Los Angeles defense. Rivero leads the league with eight shots on goal.
As is expected, the ‘Caps have been playing excellent defense this season. Goaltender David Ousted already has two shutouts this season and has a 1.00 goals-allowed average after four matches.
Ousted should have another excellent game playing behind a stellar Vancouver backline with the likes of Diego Rodriguez and Pa Modou Kah. He’ll be up against a Los Angeles side which may continue to miss stars Gyasi Zardes and Robbie Keane following international duty.
Betting on the Los Angeles Galaxy
Four match days into the season, and the defending champions are already in trouble. The Galaxy have been less-than-stellar as of late as they are yet to win a match after taking their season opener.
Los Angeles may continue to struggle with starting goaltender Jaime Penedo and forwards Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes coming back from international duty. Even if their stars return in time for this match, travel and fatigue may limit them from their full capabilities.
Keane and Zardes are invaluable to the Galaxy attack. They combine for four of Los Angeles’ six goals this season. Without them, the Galaxy are left with Jose Villareal and Alan Gordon on their frontline.
Villareal has just three goals in three years for the Galaxy. Meanwhile, Gordon can take advantage with the possible absence of Keane and Zardes. He already has one goal this season, and almost headed home a second against DC United. Gordon had five goals in limited appearances last season.
Despite subpar performances from their offense, Los Angeles still have a solid backline. Central defender Omar Gonzalez is tough to beat off the dribble as evidenced when he denied DC United an open shot with a tackle. But reserve keeper Brian Rowe has saved just two of the five shots he’s faced over two matches this season. Rowe needs a more solid performance with Penedo still possibly out and third-string keeper Brian Perk (ankle) lost for the season.
The Galaxy are undefeated in their last five matches against Vancouver (four wins and a draw).
