MLS Cup 2014: 10 Bold Predictions

Jul 16, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane (7) celebrates with midfielder Stefan Ishizaki (24) after scoring a goal against the New England Revolution at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This is it. It’s the final showdown for hope and glory in Major League Soccer. It’s MLS Cup…2014. Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy are on the verge of winning a historic fifth MLS Cup and sending Landon Donovan off with a bang. Meanwhile, Jay Heaps’s New England Revolution are riding on the form of Jermaine Jones, Charlie Davies and Lee Nguyen and are hoping the third time’s the charm in the MLS Cup Final.

Your MLS Multiplex here on the world-famous FanSided Network has extended coverage of America’s showcase event in association football. On Sunday, we’ll have a special all-day Live Blog of all the proceedings at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. starting at 7 a.m. ET. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN, UniMas, UDN, TSN1 and RDS2. But for today, we’re going to have some predictions.

Here are 10 Bold Predictions for MLS Cup 2014 between the Los Angeles Galaxy and New England Revolution.

1. At least 40 fouls and four cards

A hard, fast, physical game will be on the cards on Sunday afternoon. Weather should be good for a soccer match, too, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 70’s. But enough of the weather, let’s talk about the fouls and cards. Your man in the middle for MLS Cup 2014 is Mark Geiger. Here at the MLS Multiplex, we believe that at least 40 fouls will be whistled and four cards will be issued by Mr. Geiger himself..

2. Under five saves for Jaime Penedo

Jaime Penedo will be looking to nab his first-ever MLS Cup, and he will do it by making a number of saves, though few. Penedo did not have a good night in the second leg against Seattle on Sunday, but against a more straightforward opponent on paper, Jimmy P will shine. The Plex is calling for under five saves from Penedo.

3. At least five saves from Bobby Shuttleworth

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Bobby Shuttleworth is one of the unsung heroes on this New England Revolution team. Shuttleworth will have a solid afternoon in goal, but it will not be enough. Shuttleworth will make at least five saves on the afternoon, regardless.

4. Landon Donovan will score a penalty

It’s only fitting that Landon Donovan caps off his playing career doing what does best: score from the spot. In what is sure to be a final farewell to his playing days, Donovan will score a penalty and let the 30,000-plus that fill the stands know that he wants to go out a champion.

5. Robbie Keane will score

You can’t forget about Galaxy captain Robbie Keane and what he can do to make it happen. A finalist for league MVP honors, Keano will finish his season at Los Angeles with another playoff goal. Irish eyes will be smiling in Carson.

Jul 16, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo (18) collides with New England Revolution forward Jerry Bengtson (27) at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

6. Gyasi Zardes breaks his duck

If there was ever a time for Gyasi Zardes to finally snap out of his goalscoring slump, now is the time. Goalless for a long string of matches, Zardes will need to get on the scoresheet to ensure the Galaxy’s safety in this contest. The MLS Multiplex has its full faith in @gyasinho.

7. Here comes Charlie Davies

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Charlie Davies has experienced a renaissance in his scoring form, settling into the poacher’s role, not unlike a certain Chris Wondolowski or a certain Mike Magee. Davies is going to get on the score sheet, and don’t be surprised if Sir Charles returns to camp next month. You might as well expect it anyway; the Nats have a Gold Cup to win over that team down south.

8. Nguyen-ter is coming…Lee, that is

Lee Nguyen, another finalist for the league MVP award, is making history as the first-ever Vietnamese-American to play in an MLS Cup Final. Here at the Plex, we think Nguyen will stand and deliver and score a goal and an assist in the MLS Cup Final.

9. Alan Gordon with some #Bashtag heroics

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The original Bash Brother, Long Beach, Calif.’s very own Alan Gordon, will be on showcase late in the match. You can never be bored with this target forward. Gordon will score late and see the fans’ trust in him full renewed. The question is, will Orlando or New York City FC choose to pick him up if he’s unprotected in the close season?

10. Go win that for the thumb, LA, it’s yours! Go, go, go, go, go!

Barring a miracle performance from Jermaine Jones, all the pieces are in place for the Los Angeles Galaxy to put on a show and finish the job. This time, unlike the other two meetings, extra time will not be needed. The Galaxy will double up on the New England Revolution and close out the Landon Donovan era in grand LA-style fashion.

Los Angeles Galaxy 4, New England Revolution 2