Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: 10 Bold Predictions

Apr 19, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Matias Laba (15) and Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan (10) battle for the ball during the second half at BC Place. The Vancouver Whitecaps and Los Angeles Galaxy tied 2-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Fresh off a confidence-boosting 4-3 victory over Pablo Mastroeni’s Colorado Rapids on the road, Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy return home for an Aug. 23 tilt with Carl Robinson’s Vancouver Whitecaps at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Los Angeles are currently 10-5-7 (37 points), good enough for fourth place in the MLS Western Conference, while Vancouver sit in fifth with a record of 7-4-12 (33 points).

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE. Here are 10 Bold Predictions for Saturday night’s match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps.

1. At least 40 fouls, under three cards

The physicality will be there, but strangely, the cards will not be there, at least not in this game. The MLS Multiplex boldly predicts for at least 40 fouls and under three cards issued.

2. Jaime Penedo with at least five saves

Both goalkeepers will have a tough night ahead of them. Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo had it rough midweek against Colorado, giving up three goals but got the win nonetheless. Against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Penedo will make at least five saves.

3. David Ousted with at least five saves

Penedo’s counterpart, Whitecaps netminder David Ousted, will also have a big night making stops. The MLS Multiplex is boldly predicting for at least five saves from Ousted.

4. Landon Donovan will score

The hunt for #Landon140 will be in earnest on Saturday at StubHub Center, and Landon Donovan will find it in the second half after trial-and-error. Donovan knows that the pressure is on them to find consistency after a rough stretch of games.

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“After what happened Saturday, and what happened in the first half [against Colorado], giving up seven goals in two games is unacceptable for this team. The first order of business was defensively to do the job,” said Donovan to LAGalaxy.com’s Adam Serrano. “We were embarrassing defensively, all of us, from front to back [in the first half]. We know we’re good enough to always get chances in games.

“We wanted to get the second goal. We thought if the second goal came, we could keep pushing,” Donovan continued. “I was really proud of us at 3-3, after that first half a lot of teams would have closed up shop and tried to get a point. That wasn’t enough for us; we wanted to win the game. We needed these three points.”

5. Robbie Keane will score

Robbie Keane is the Los Angeles Galaxy’s leading goalscorer with 13 goals to his credit, as well as the leading provider with nine assists. Against the Whitecaps, watch for Keane to earn a goal and an assist.

6. Here comes Alan Gordon

Alan Gordon is happy to be back home, and with Gordon back home, you can expect the Galaxy’s primary target forward to make an impact off the bench. Watch for Gordon to strike in the second half.

7. Gyasi Zardes on goal

This season, Gyasi Zardes is on a tear, scoring 10 goals to be the Galaxy’s second leading goalscorer. The MLS Multiplex is predicting that Zardes will score in the first half against Vancouver.

8. Erik Hurtado will score for Vancouver

This season, Erik Hurtado has four goals and two assists to be a leading contributor to Vancouver’s cause. Watch for Hurtado to score a goal and an assist for the Caps against the Galaxy.

9. Pedro Morales with a goal and an assist

Vancouver’s top player is Pedro Morales, who leads the Whitecaps with seven goals and nine assists. Against Los Angeles, the MLS Multiplex is boldly predicting for a goal and an assists from Morales.

10. A solid win for the Los Angeles Galaxy

In another night full of goals and fast-paced action, the Los Angeles Galaxy will pull out another win and remain in the hunt in the MLS Western Conference, whose pace is being set by the Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas. The Galaxy are trying to play catch-up, and they will need this victory to keep up with the pace.

Los Angeles Galaxy 4, Vancouver Whitecaps 2