We’re getting you ready for LA Galaxy vs New England Revolution. It’s a MLS Cup Rematch that should provide for an Exciting Sunday.

Carson, CA – The Galaxy welcome the New England Revolution to the StubHub Center this Sunday, May 8, 2016, for a mid-afternoon clash on Mother’s Day. The LA Galaxy will be hoping to extend their undefeated streak from six games to seven while the Revs would no doubt love to beat the LA Galaxy on its home turf, having last been denied that opportunity during the 2014 MLS Cup. New England, the perennial bridesmaid of MLS, has seen their hope for glory stymied by the LA Galaxy more than any other team – LA bested the Bostonians at the 2002, 2005 and 2014 MLS Cup Finals, so this Sunday’s game could be a humdinger.

LA’s lineup against New England will vary substantially from last week. While Nigel De Jong may return to the fold after serving a three-game suspension for his tackle on Darlington Nagbe on April 10, during Friday’s training it was reported that De Jong would likely sit out Sunday’s game with a minor injury. Further, while Steven Gerrard picked up a knock in training and initially looked like he might be unavailable for the game, the Englishman trained on Friday and it was reported he would be available on Sunday.

After receiving a red card in Salt Lake City last weekend, the Galaxy will take the field without the benefit of Ashley Cole’s deft left foot, a tremendous loss given how consistent the former Chelsea and Arsenal man has been for LA this season. On the plus side, the LA Galaxy reported that Sebastian “Da Boy” Lletget has recovered from his recent groin-strain and likely will be available for the Starting XI on Sunday.

There is an outside chance that Robbie Keane may play on Sunday, coming off the bench, but it is more likely that Giovani dos Santos will continue to exploit both the space and opportunities left open in Keane’s absence by taking up his position behind Gyasi Zardes on the front-line. Fans excited by the recent return of the Y-midfield formation need not fear, though. Should Arena wish to deploy a formation similar to the one that has yielded prolific goals and positive returns for the LA Galaxy recently, a midfield with Giovani dos Santos playing as the withdrawn striker, Emmanuel Boateng and Sebastian Lletget on the wings (Lletget is pedidextrous) and either Nigel De Jong or Steven Gerrard in the holding role (depending on which of them is available) could work nicely.

And while the team will surely miss Cole, it’s serendipitous that the Galaxy happen to have a convertible fullback such as Robbie Rogers available to slot in at the left-back position on a moment’s notice. Unless Rogers is injured, fans can expect to see a back four consisting of Robbie Rogers, Jelle Van Damme, Daniel Steres and AJ DeLAGarza.

New England has had an unusual start to the season, having played to a draw in seven of the ten games it has played this year. The Revs are also dealing with a few injuries and could be without Chris Tierney, Charlie Davis, Teal Bunbury, and Je-Vaughn Watson for this Sunday’s match. Nonetheless, for a team with talent like Diego Fagundez, Juan Agudelo and Lee Nguyen, it is by no means certain that Sunday will be a blowout.

The game starts at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday and will be broadcast on ESPN. Fans are encouraged to arrive early.

You can listen to CoG as host Josh Guesman discusses this game on the most recent podcast.

Comments

comments