Seattle Sounders vs. Los Angeles Galaxy: 10 Bold Predictions

Oct 27, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan (10) dribbles upfield against the Seattle Sounders during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

If you’re Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy, you have to be wondering, how can we round ourselves into form now that Manchester United went full Germany on us? Well, it was just a friendly that is not the focus of the week for LA. As for Sigi Schmid’s Seattle Sounders, one has to wonder if there is blood in the waters of the Pacific Ocean and that there is a possibility that another three points could be waiting for them.

Everything will be revealed in this important Major League Soccer Western Conference encounter at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. on July 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2. Here are 10 Bold Predictions for Monday night’s match between the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles Galaxy.

1. Stefan Frei with at least five saves

Stefan Frei will have a big game in goal for the Seattle Sounders. Frei has 54 saves this season for the Sounders and is boldly predicted by the MLS Multiplex to make at least five saves.

2. Under five saves for Jaime Penedo

This has been a challenging year for Jaime Penedo, who has 45 saves to his credit. Against the Sounders, Penedo will make under five saves.

3. At least 40 fouls and four cards

This will be a tough, physical battle between two teams in the hunt for a Supporters Shield. So the action will be intense and the play will be physical. At least 540 fouls will be whistled and four cards will be issued.

4. No goals for the Los Angeles Galaxy

This will be one of the worse defeats for the Los Angeles Galaxy since their 5-0 shutout defeat to the New England Revolution on the road last year. The Galaxy will not score a single goal in the match.

5. Clint Dempsey with a brace

This season, Clint Dempsey has nine goals to his credit and is Seattle’s top scorer. Dempsey will score a brace on Monday against Los Angeles and prove his pedigree to the rest of Major League Soccer.

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6. Obafemi Martins with a brace

Obafemi Martins has been a scoring machine for the Seattle Sounders, with eight goals this season for Seattle. Against the Los Angeles Galaxy, look for Martin to score in each half and record a brace.

7. Lamar Neagle with a brace

This season, Lamar Neagle has five goals for the Sounders and is a player who can finish at will. Watch for Neagle to pile on the goals late and make this a decisive win.

8. Chad Barrett will score

One of the most unexpected of finishers, Chad Barrett, scored on the Galaxy when he was with the New England Revolution, and now with the Sounders, he will also score again, also in the second half.

9. Gonzalo Pineda with at least two assists

Gonzalo Pineda is tied with Martins with most assists on the team with six this season. He won’t be credit with a goal on Monday, but Pineda is one of the best providers the Sounders have on their team and he will record at least two assists against LA.

10. Seattle does its best Germany impression

This will be a straightforward contest for the Sounders, who are on a mission: to win their first-ever Supporters Shield. A statement victory against a team like the Los Angeles Galaxy is what they need, and they will have it. And they have Man United to thank for the lead.

Seattle Sounders 7, Los Angeles Galaxy 0