Here come the champs. The previously struggling MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy have begun their climb back up the Western Conference standings with back-to-back wins. The return of inspirational captain Robbie Keane has been a catalyst of this recent run, one they will be eager to keep going against the team they beat in last year’s Cup final, the New England Revolution.
The Revs will be out for revenge after that gut-wrenching loss back in December, but they will be missing a couple of key starters due to suspension for this big game. Can the Revs reverse their recent poor form and score another home win? Read on for our preview of this MLS Cup final rematch.
It’ll be a super Sunday of MLS action with Revs vs. Galaxy following another massive East-West clash in Seattle Sounders FC vs. New York Red Bulls. Check out our preview of that big game here.
[sc:Soccer ]New England Revolution vs. Los Angeles Galaxy Preview
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro
When: Sunday, May 31, 5:00 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Galaxy +174 at New England Revolution +131, tie +220, total 2.5 – view all MLS lines
Betting on the New England Revolution
The New England Revolution won’t be entering their big rematch with the Galaxy in any sort of form. The Revs’ winless run is now up to four games (three draws, one loss) after a 1-1 draw at home against DC United last Saturday.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Revs gave a very resilient performance in that game, which saw them play with just nine men for over half an hour against the top team in the Eastern Conference. But the Revs will now be without two key starters against the Galaxy, as both Chris Tierney and Lee Nguyen will both be suspended after picking up red cards.
Nguyen, the team’s leading scorer last season with 18 goals, will leave a sizable gap in the New England midfield, but he believes the Revs’ depth this season can overcome his absence. “I think our squad’s a lot deeper now. We’ve got three other guys that can hurt them, so that’s the great thing about this team this year,” Nguyen said.
Even without Nguyen, the Revs have enough firepower to get after the Galaxy defense. Striker Charlie Davies will be in scorching form after he scored his team-leading fifth goal – all coming in the last seven games – against United. Juan Agudelo is also playing very well, and had scored in the two games prior to the United match.
The two should be favored to add to their tally against a Galaxy defense hemorrhaging goals on the road this season. New England is still undefeated at home this season, with three wins and four draws in seven games.
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Betting on the LA Galaxy
After a slow start to the season, the LA Galaxy are finally moving up the gears. They’ve bounced back from a particular rough five-match winless run – which culminated with a 4-0 hammering at the hands of expansion team Orlando City – by claiming 1-0 wins in their last two games against the Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake.
Not surprisingly, their sudden surge has coincided with the return of talismanic striker Robbie Keane. The 34-year old Irishman, who had missed the last seven games with a groin problem, immediately made his presence felt by supplying the assist to the game-winning goal in injury time against the Dynamo. He then came on as a second half substitute against RSL.
A fully fit Keane will be a vital weapon for the Galaxy in their tough road game at Foxboro. Keane delivered the MLS Cup-clinching goal in their 2-1 extra-time win against the Revs last December and earned tournament MVP honors. He also inspired the Galaxy to a 5-1 regular season home win over the Revs by scoring twice and setting up two more goals.
Another match-winning performance from Keane could help lift the Galaxy’s woeful road record. They have yet to record a win on the road this season, with four losses and three draws in seven games. 12 of the 15 goals they’ve conceded this season have come on the road.
Writer’s Prediction
The Revs (+131) get their sweet revenge as they get past the Galaxy, 2-1.
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