Club Tijuana vs. Los Angeles Galaxy: 10 Bold Predictions
Mar 12, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Samuel (9) and Club Tijuana defender Elo Castro Guadarrama (54) battle for ball in Champions League match at StubHub Center. The Galaxy defeated Club Tijuana 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy need just a draw to defeat Cesar Farias’s Club Tijuana on Tuesday night at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, Baja California. Check out what both coaches had to say following the first leg of the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals where the Galaxy shut out the Xolos 1-0 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Plus. Here are 10 Bold Predictions for the second leg of this quarterfinal between Club Tijuana and the Los Angeles Galaxy.
1. At least 30 fouls and five cards
A lot will be at stake in this second leg, and the action will be intense. At least 30 fouls will be whistled and at least five cards of any color will be issued.
2. Herculez Gomez will start and score
Herculez Gomez will score in this game and deliver for the Xolos. He was supposed to start in the first leg, according to the previous 10 Bold Predictions, but he should start this time around and score.
3. Samuel on goal for the Galaxy
This is a name that you are going to have to be familiar with for the long haul: Samuel. Enough said. He’s scoring on Tuesday.
4. Jaime Penedo with at least five saves
A solid CONCACAF Champions League contender needs a competitent goalkeeper, and Jaime Penedo fits the mold. Against Club Tijuana, he will be make at least five saves on the night.
5. Cirilo Saucedo with under five saves
This is going to be a quiet day for Cirilo Saucedo. He won’t make a lot of saves against a team desperate for a result against their emerging southern rivals. The Xolos goalkeeper will make under five saves to lead Tijuana.
6. Robbie Keane will open his scoresheet
Robbie Keane should finally hit his form on Tuesday. If there was ever a time to finall break through, it’s against Tijuana. And he will do so.
7. Cristian Pellerano on goal for Tijuana
Cristian and Hernan Pellerano are a good twin tower combination for Tijuana. The Argentinian brothers will be delivering for the Xolos with Cristian leading the way.
8. No goals for Gyasi Zardes
There will be no goals for Gyasi Zardes, but he should get an assist at the maximum against Tijuana.
9. No goals for Joe Corona
Also predicted to not get on goal is Joe Corona, who had a decent game in the first leg but it will be more of the same. Perhaps an assist is in order, but there will be no goals for this Tijuana bookend.
10. A draw will do for LA
It’s going to be an exciting match, and it will end in a draw, with the Los Angeles Galaxy going through on aggregate.
Club Tijuana 2, Los Angeles Galaxy 2
Los Angeles Galaxy advances on aggregate 3-2