Sep 4, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Chivas USA midfielder Marco Delgado (12) and Seattle Sounders midfielder Andy Rose (25) fight for the ball during the 2nd half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Chivas USA 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Wilmer Cabrera’s Chivas USA are buzzing right now after securing a hard-fought 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers on the road at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. However, while they are back in the cozy confines of the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., their opponent this week is Sigi Schmid’s Seattle Sounders, who delivered an even bigger result on the road against FC Dallas, a 3-2 victory at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Tex.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 19 at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE. Here are 10 Bold Predictions for this week’s contest between Chivas USA and the Seattle Sounders.
1. At least 30 fouls, under four cards
Let’s get the fouls and cards out of the way first. This is another fast and fluid game that will be in store at the Hub, and at least 30 fouls will be whistled…but under four cards will be issued. There won’t be a lot of cards in this game.
2. Clint Dempsey with a brace
There will be no hat trick for the league’s top scorer, but Clint Dempsey will continue his hotstreak with a couple of goals this game. Dempsey currently has six goals this season and is ready to add some more to his total.
3. Here comes Obafemi Martins
This season, Obafemi Martins has one goal and four assists and is Seattle’s top provider. Look for Martins to score a goal and two assists to lead the Sounders.
4. Kenny Cooper does it again
Kenny Cooper only has two goals so far this season, but he will add another to the total in what looks to be a straightforward game for the Sounders against Chivas USA.
5. Stefan Frei with under five saves
It will be a quiet evening for Stefan Frei, who currently has 20 saves to lead the Sounders. Frei will make under five against the Goats this weekend.
6. Dan Kennedy with over five saves
This will be a tough go for Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, but he will make his share of saves. Kennedy will make more than five saves at home this weekend. Currently, Kennedy has 17 saves this year.
7. Erick Torres will score
This season, Erick Torres has five goals to become the second-leading goalscorer in MLS this season. “El Cubo” will add another goal to the collection to salvage some sort of dignity for Chivas USA.
8. No goals for Mauro Rosales
Mauro Rosales is Chivas USA’s top provider with three assists. He won’t score this game, but he will record an assist and have a pass success rate of at least 81 percent.
9. Carlos Bocanegra will be a clearance machine
The best defender on the pitch for Chivas USA is their captain, Carlos Bocanegra. Watch for Chivas’s #3 to record at least seven clearances to stave off Seattle’s attacks to some extent.
10. Seattle romps to victory
This will be a muscle-flexing victory for the Seattle Sounders. They are rounding into form, and with Clint Dempsey and the helm, the Sounders will add another three points to their tally with style.
Seattle Sounders 4, Chivas USA 1