CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy will look to extend their unbeaten streak at StubHub Center to 28 games on Saturday when they face Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
In my look ahead to the match, I provide a little pregame reading, matchups to watch, and a score prediction.
LINKS:
Robbie Keane says that he’ll appear in Saturday’s match against Vancouver.
However, the LA Galaxy will be without Jose Villarreal for Saturday’s match. Might this help Edson Buddle return to goal scoring ways?
With Jaime Penedo away on international duty, Brian Rowe will get the start in goal.
Training Notebook: updates on Robbie Rogers, Alan Gordon and new goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton.
How successful are the LA Galaxy against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at home? Very.
In the latest edition of By the Numbers, we look at Robbie Keane’s strike rate against Vancouver.
*Lastly, LAGalaxy.com’s Larry Morgan provides the Drink O4 Water match preview.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
Octavio Rivero vs. Omar Gonzalez
Omar Gonzalez has been the star of the LA Galaxy season to date but he’ll have his hands full when he faces off against Octavio Rivero. Positioning will be vital for Gonzalez as Rivero has shown an ability to exploit space and make defenses pay.
Robbie Keane vs. Kendal Waston
It looks like Robbie Keane is back to full fitness, and that means the Irishman is ready to test a Vancouver backline that has conceded many goals to the LA Galaxy captain.
Juninho vs. Pedro Morales
The most important matchup will take place in the center of the park as the two South Americans battle for superiority. Look for Juninho to press Morales early and often to avoid the kind of pressure that sunk the Galaxy in April.
PREDICTION:
LA Galaxy 3 (Keane, Buddle, Maganto), Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1 (Rivero)