Coaches, Local Experts Predict MLS Cup Final
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Saturday, December 06, 2014
Matt LaPan, Go Local Sports Reporter
The Revolution and Galaxy are ready to get MLS Cup under way, who will hoist the cup on Sunday?
After a full week of waiting, MLS Cup is nearly here. The New England Revolution and the LA Galaxy will take the field at StubHub Center in less that 48 hours. The Galaxy will be looking for their 3rd MLS Cup in four years while the Revs will be looking for their first MLS Cup in team history.
As the game approaches, many will try to predict the outcome of the match. Some of those people have come to GoLocal to give their score predictions. College coaches, beat writers and even the Far Post Podcast — the official podcast of the New England Revolution — give their score predictions below!
Leave your score prediction or send them to Matt LaPan (@Matt_LaPan) while he reports form Los Angeles using #GoLocalRevs.
College Coaches
University of Rhode Island:
Women’s Soccer: Michael Needham - Prediction: 2-1 Galaxy
Men’s Soccer: Gareth Elliott - Prediction: 2-1 Revolution
Explanation: It should be a tight game. The game is in LA which should give a little advantage to LA with the fact that they’re the home team and the Revs have to travel across the country. But it’s a 90-minute match and anything can happen. The Revs are on a hot streak and are playing with confidence.
Boston University:
Women’s Soccer: Nancy Feldman - Prediction: Revolution Win
Explanation: Their transition attack looked great against New York in the 2nd leg, dynamic around the box and dangerous. Tough defensively, Goncalves vs. Donovan will be the key matchup.
UCLA:
Men’s Soccer: Jorge Salcedo - Prediction: 2-1 Galaxy
Explanation: What makes this final so unique and so special is that both the Galaxy and New England are playing the best soccer in the league.
Beat Writers
Revolution Beat Reporter - MLSSoccer.com Craig Forde - Prediction:
Explanation: Both times the Revs played the Galaxy in MLS Cup the result was a 1-0 defeat. I fully expect another close affair in this one with the power of Jermaine Jones pushing them over the top. Fifth time's the charm for New England, sending Donovan off into the sunset.
Revolution Beat Reporter - ESPN Boston - Brian O'Connell: Prediction - 3-2 Revolution
Explanation: Unlike MLS Cup clashes of recent vintage, Sunday's final this is going to be a high-flying affair that'll feature the red-hot Revolution and goal-hungry Galaxy. With Robbie Keane, Lee Nguyen, Landon Donovan and Charlie Davies all sharing the same the pitch, expect the Revolution and Galaxy to go back-and-forth on the scoreboard. A late defensive mistake by Leonardo will seal the Galaxy's fate and allow the Revolution to lift the MLS Cup trophy.
The Far Post Podcast on RevolutionSoccer.net
Director of Marketing: Cathal Conlon - Prediction: 4-1 Revolution
Digital Content Manager: Jason Dalrymple - Prediction: 3-2 Revolution
Staff Writer & Online Host: Jeff Lemieux - Prediction: 2-1 Revolution
Editor, Digital Content, Video Production: Jeff Wroblewski - Prediction: 4-1 Revolution
Social Media Associate: Ron Bower - Prediction: 3-2 Revolution
GoLocal Sports Reporter Matt LaPan:
Prediction: 3-2 Revolution
Explanation: This is New England’s time. Jay Heaps will have his team prepared for the initial burst of energy that LA will have as the home team. Despite falling behind early, Lee Nguyen and Jermaine Jones will score late goals to lift the Revs to their first MLS Cup. To take a phrase from Boston Bruins play-by-play announcer Dave Goucher — Get the Duck Boats ready!
Related Slideshow: Key Matchups In MLS Cup Final - New England Revolution vs. LA Galaxy
The New England Revolution and LA Galaxy will face off in the MLS Cup Playoffs championship game, Sunday at 3 PM at the StubHub Center in Los Angeles. The Revolution and Galaxy met earlier this season with the Galaxy winning that match 5-1.
They meet again for the MLS Cup, here is a breakdown of the key matchups.
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Jay Heaps vs Bruce Arena
Most Revolution fans remember Jay Heaps career on the field as a member of the Revolution, it is his recent work as the coach of the Revolution that is drawing headlines, however. Heaps led the Revs to a 17-13-4 record in 2014 with his attacking midfield and strong defense. In just his 3rd season as a head coach, Heaps will be appearing in his first MLS Cup final.
Heaps will be facing his former coach in this game, Bruce Arena. Arena has been in the coaching ranks since 1978, just two years after Jay Heaps was born. Arena recruited Heaps during his legendary career at Virginia. Arena eventually coached Heaps as part of the U.S. Men's National team.
Arena is still at the top of his profession, winning two MLS Cups in his tenure with the Galaxy (since 2008). Arena has created a Western Conference superpower in his time with the team, going to four MLS Cup Finals in his six years -- a clear advantage over the far less experienced Heaps.
ADVANTAGE- Galaxy
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Key Substitutes
The Revs bench has become very short in the playoffs. Kevin Alston delivered a huge defensive performance in the 2nd leg of the Eastern Conference Finals against Lloyd Sam of the New York Red Bulls. That move pushed Kelyn Rowe to the bench, which could happen again in the final.
Rowe and Diago Kobayashi are the only substitutes that are likely to be used in the attacking portion of the field. Diago would only likely be used in an emergency situation while Rowe will likely get the start over Alston.
The Galaxy will likely roll with their starting 11 and only make substitutions for defensive purposes. If any substitutes enter the game, it would likely be Alan Gordon for offensive purposes or Baggio Husidic for defensive purposes.
ADVANTAGE: Revolution
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Shuttleworth vs Penedo
Both keepers have been on fire in recent weeks. Penedo entered the playoffs with one of the top goals against average in MLS (1.14) and has continued to impress. He is 2-1-1 with a 0.5 goals against average — allowing only two goals on 13 shots faced.
Shuttleworth his a higher goals against average, allowing 1.5 goals per match, but has more saves than any other keeper in the playoffs. Shuttleworth has turned away 18 of 24 shots en route to a 3-0-1 record.
This one is too close to call, both keepers will need to be at the top of their game if they want to leave with the cup, however.
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Nguyen vs Keane
Although Lee Nguyen and Robbie Keane will not see a lot of each other, they will take the field as two of the three finalists for MLS MVP. Keane's 19 and Nguyen's 18 goals rank 3rd and 4th, respectively, in MLS. Both players are extremely deserving of MVP honors, but both will be more focused on hoisting the cup.
Once again, this is too close to call. Although Nguyen gets points for his ability from the midfield, Keane's ability is undeniable as well.
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Jones vs DeLaGarza
Jermaine Jones has come into New England and helped turn the Revs into a legit title contender. His professional nature and world-class ability have elevated the Revolution attack to levels that have not been seen in Foxboro since the days of Taylor Twellman.
He will face stiff defensive competition in A.J. DeLaGarza. DeLaGarza told the media that he is at full health and will be ready for the championship game. This is a big boost for LA, who has one of the top defensive units in MLS. With his great quickness and quick feet, DeLaGarza is a nightmare for almost everyone.
ADVANTAGE - Revolution
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Davies vs Gonzalez
Charlie Davies will enter this championship match as one of the hottest players on the field having netted four goals in four Revolution playoff games. Davies speed helped him net two goals in the Eastern Conference Final. Davies inspirational rise back to stardom is looking for a story-book ending, but he will have to face a familiar face to soccer fans -- Omar Gonzalez.
Gonzalez continues his stellar career with another good year as a starter for the U.S. Men's National team. He uses his size and great positioning to deny chances in the box for opponents.
ADVANTAGE- Revolution
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Donovan vs Farrell
Landon Donovan is one of the greatest players in U.S. soccer history and one of, if not the greatest player in MLS history. Donovan comes into this championship game after announcing that this season would be the last season of his professional soccer career.
Donovan has three goals in four games for LA in their playoff run to go along with his two assists.
Second year defender Andrew Farrell is sure to be challenged in this game by Donovan and company down the left side of the field. The Galaxy will look to set up their offense and open the Revs defense up from that side of the field.
ADVANTAGE- Galaxy
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LA Attack vs Revs Defense
The Galaxy will feature one of the most potent forward groups in MLS. They combine Landon Donovan with Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes. The trio have combined for 45 goals -- Keane and Zardes netting 35 of those goals.
They will meet stiff competition in the middle of the field in the duo of Jose Goncalves and A.J. Soares. The duo center the defense and, when at their best, are one of the best defensive tandems in MLS. The strength and versatility of Soares and Goncalves could help slow down Keane and Zardes -- but unless they play their best game of the season, it will be hard to shut down the scoring tandem from LA.
ADVANTAGE- Galaxy
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Overall Advantage
Disregard the 5-1 win that the Galaxy had over the Revolution in the regular season when watching this game. Both teams are vastly improved and both will be healthy for the championship match.
Both teams like to get forward and try to score, leaving both susceptible to counter attacks. Combine that with the coaching pedigree of Arena and the Galaxy have the slight advantage over the Revolution.
The advantage, however, is very slight. This game should be one of the most exciting matches of the season and is primed to be one of the best MLS Cup Finals in recent history.
ADVANTAGE- LA
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