Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union: 10 Bold Predictions

Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy are in an unfamiliar position: that of a losing streak heading into Wednesday’s contest in Major League Soccer against John Hackworth’s Philadelphia Union. The Galaxy are 4-3-2 (14 points) and are smack-dab in the middle of the MLS Western Conference standings. As for the Union, they are 4-3-3 (15 points) and are also fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference.

July 4, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane (7) lays on the ground after Philadelphia Union scored the winning goal in stoppage time at the Home Depot Center. Philadelphia Union won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Kickoff at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Time Warner Cable Sportsnet and Time Warner Cable Deportes. Here are 10 Bold Predictions for Wednesday night’s tilt between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Philadelphia Union.

1. Brian Rowe will start in goal

A lot of wholesale changes will be made for this contest after a disappointing display against the Vancouver Whitecaps. One of the changes that will be made is Brian Rowe starting in goal for the Galaxy against the Union.

2. No goals or assists from Robbie Keane

Robbie Keane is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Union, but he will not earn any goals or assists in Chester.

3. No goals in the first half

This will be a slow first half once again. There will be no goals scored in the opening stanza, but that will change in the second half.

4. More than five saves from Zac MacMath

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath will be having a field day with his goalkeeper. More than five saves will be made from MacMath as he fends off a desperate Galaxy team in need of points.

5. Jack McInerney with a brace

Jack McInerney is one of the top goalscorers in Major League Soccer, with seven goals to his credit. Like Russell Teibert on Saturday, McInerney will secure a brace against the Galaxy.

6. Danny Cruz joins in on the fun

Danny Cruz has been a sort of godsend for the Union, with two goals and two assists to his credit. Cruz will get a goal and an assist to help the Union’s cause against LA.

7. Gyasi Zardes’s hotstreak continues

With Robbie Keane starting on Wednesday, Gyasi Zardes will most likely come off the bench to pull one back for Los Angeles. He will get it done late in stoppage time, but it may not be enough.

8. No goals or assists from Landon Donovan

There will be no goals or assists from Landon Donovan, who is struggling to regain his form this year. It’s still going to take him some time to find his mojo. He’s not going to find it against the Union.

9. At least 30 fouls, under four yellows

This will be a fast, fluid game in Chester. And it will also be chippy. At least 30 fouls will be whistled and under four yellows will be issued. There will be no reds.

10. Philadelphia adds more salt to LA wounds

You can chalk up another loss to the struggling Los Angeles Galaxy. This is a team that needs to do some soul-searching, because this month has been nothing but brutal to them.

Philadelphia Union 3, Los Angeles Galaxy 1

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union: 10 Bold Predictions
Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy are in an unfamiliar position: that of a losing streak heading into Wednesday’s contest in Major League Soccer against John Hackworth’s Philadelphia Union. The Galaxy are 4-3-2 (14 points) and are smack-dab in the middle of the MLS Western Conference standings. As for the Union, they are 4-3-3 (15 points) and are also fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference.
Kickoff at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Time Warner Cable Sportsnet and Time Warner Cable Deportes. Here are 10 Bold Predictions for Wednesday night’s tilt between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Philadelphia Union.
1. Brian Rowe will start in goal
A lot of wholesale changes will be made for this contest after a disappointing display against the Vancouver Whitecaps. One of the changes that will be made is Brian Rowe starting in goal for the Galaxy against the Union.
2. No goals or assists from Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Union, but he will not earn any goals or assists in Chester.
3. No goals in the first half
This will be a slow first half once again. There will be no goals scored in the opening stanza, but that will change in the second half.
4. More than five saves from Zac MacMath
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath will be having a field day with his goalkeeper. More than five saves will be made from MacMath as he fends off a desperate Galaxy team in need of points.
5. Jack McInerney with a brace
Jack McInerney is one of the top goalscorers in Major League Soccer, with seven goals to his credit. Like Russell Teibert on Saturday, McInerney will secure a brace against the Galaxy.
6. Danny Cruz joins in on the fun
Danny Cruz has been a sort of godsend for the Union, with two goals and two assists to his credit. Cruz will get a goal and an assist to help the Union’s cause against LA.
7. Gyasi Zardes’s hotstreak continues
With Robbie Keane starting on Wednesday, Gyasi Zardes will most likely come off the bench to pull one back for Los Angeles. He will get it done late in stoppage time, but it may not be enough.
8. No goals or assists from Landon Donovan
There will be no goals or assists from Landon Donovan, who is struggling to regain his form this year. It’s still going to take him some time to find his mojo. He’s not going to find it against the Union.
9. At least 30 fouls, under four yellows
This will be a fast, fluid game in Chester. And it will also be chippy. At least 30 fouls will be whistled and under four yellows will be issued. There will be no reds.
10. Philadelphia adds more salt to LA wounds
You can chalk up another loss to the struggling Los Angeles Galaxy. This is a team that needs to do some soul-searching, because this month has been nothing but brutal to them.
Philadelphia Union 3, Los Angeles Galaxy 1