MLS Cup Showdown: How do matchups break down as LA Galaxy seek fifth title vs. New England Revolution?

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<strong>Position/Edge</strong>

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<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jaime-penedo" target="_blank">Jaime Penedo</a> has shown an ability to stonewall opponents since arriving in MLS. He does, however, also have an ability to look shaky and make the wrong decision. The Panamanian was a difference-maker in two of the Galaxy&#39;s first four playoff games, but the chance he could struggle has to give New England some hope.</p>

<p class="rtecenter">Goalkeepers</p><strong>EVEN</strong><p class="rtecenter"><script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/8495622.js"></script><noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/8495622/">Who has the better goalkeepers?</a></noscript></p>

<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/bobby-shuttleworth" target="_blank">Bobby Shuttleworth</a> has been quite good this season, especially in the playoff run. He may not have the reputation of standing on his head, but he&#39;s likely to be tested. If he (and New England&#39;s defense) can withstand the pressure, it could be a career-making performance.</p>

<p class="rteleft">All of the Galaxy&#39;s likely starters on defense have won MLS Cups before, and the comfort of playing at home should settle nerves for this battle-tested unit. <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/omar-gonzalez" target="_blank">Omar Gonzalez</a> is a two-way threat for LA on set pieces, while <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/robbie-rogers" target="_blank">Robbie Rogers</a> has looked good at left back. The big question is whether <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/aj-delagarza" target="_blank">A.J. DeLaGarza</a> will be back in the lineup and where he would play, but the Galaxy&#39;s experience should leave them feeling confident.</p>

<p class="rtecenter">Defenders</p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1230_200x200.png" style="font-size: 12.222222328186px; width: 75px; height: 75px;"><p class="rtecenter"><script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/8495681.js"></script><noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/8495681/">Who has the better defenders?</a></noscript></p>

<p>After an early-season slump, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jose-goncalves" target="_blank">Jose Goncalves</a> has rounded back into form in a big way, and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/aj-soares" target="_blank">A.J. Soares</a> has been solid. <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/chris-tierney" target="_blank">Chris Tierney</a> (who could also play in midfield) is the Revs&#39; offensive threat from the backline, albeit from his role as a set-piece taker. But New England are most likely going to have to withstand LA&#39;s waves of attack, and they have not faced an offense nearly as potent as the Galaxy&#39;s in the playoffs.</p>

<p class="rteleft">Much like the defense, the uniting attribute of this part of the field for the Galaxy is their experience. <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/landon-donovan" target="_blank">Landon Donovan</a>, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/juninho" target="_blank">Juninho</a> and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/juninho" target="_blank">Marcelo Sarvas</a> have all won MLS Cups. Add to that the <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/mlscup/2014/news/article/2014/12/03/la-galaxy-most-important-players-brazilians-juninho-marcelo-sarvas" target="_blank">dynamism of the Brazilians&#39; central-midfield partnership</a>, their chemistry with <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/baggio-husidic" target="_blank">Baggio Husidic</a> or <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/stefan-ishizaki" target="_blank">Stefan Ishizaki</a> in the fourth MF spot and, of course, the context of Donovan playing his final professional game, and the Galaxy have the clear edge.</p>

<p class="rtecenter">Midfielders</p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1230_200x200.png" style="font-size: 12.222222328186px; width: 75px; height: 75px;"><p class="rtecenter"><script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/8495685.js"></script><noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/8495685/">Who has the better midfielders?</a></noscript></p>

<p>New England have two counterpoints to LA&#39;s well-oiled midfield machine: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jermaine-jones" target="_blank">Jermaine Jones</a> and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/lee-nguyen" target="_blank">Lee Nguyen</a>. The former is the box-to-box wizard who helped the Revs amplify their strengths since arriving midseason, and the latter is the MVP finalist who finally blossomed as a pure No. 10 in MLS. The Galaxy are sure to go after less-experienced holding mid <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/scott-caldwell" target="_blank">Scott Caldwell</a>, but Jones and Nguyen are both capable of taking over a game, something the Revolution will need if they are going to win the title.</p>

<p>For starters, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/12/03/la-galaxy-forward-robbie-keane-2014-volkswagen-mls-most-valuable-player" target="_blank">having the MLS MVP</a> line up on LA&#39;s side sure doesn&#39;t hurt their chances. <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/robbie-keane" target="_blank">Robbie Keane&#39;s</a> ability to both score and turn provider makes him one of the toughest strikers to defend in the league. <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/gyasi-zardes" target="_blank">Gyasi Zardes</a> has been quiet in the playoffs, but he&#39;s shown he can come to life at any moment. The same also goes for <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/alan-gordon" target="_blank">Alan Gordon</a>, who&#39;s been perhaps the best substitute in MLS since coming back to the Galaxy in a midseason trade.</p>

<p class="rtecenter">Forwards</p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1230_200x200.png" style="font-size: 12.222222328186px; width: 75px; height: 75px;"><p class="rtecenter"><script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/8495689.js"></script><noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/8495689/">Who has the better forwards?</a></noscript></p>

<p>On the bright side, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/charlie-davies" target="_blank">Charlie Davies</a> and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/teal-bunbury" target="_blank">Teal Bunbury</a> have found their form at the best possible time to help New England make it to MLS Cup. Now playing in a wide midfield role, Bunbury has been part of an MLS Cup-winning side before, though he was hurt for much of Sporting KC&#39;s 2013 triumph. New England absolutely must finish a high percentage of t heir chances to stay in contention.</p>

<p>The context of the game will dictate substitutions, but count on Gordon and the non-starter of Ishizaki or Husidic to come off the bench for LA. Besides that, possible defensive subs (<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dan-gargan" target="_blank">Dan Gargan</a> if he doesn&#39;t start, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/todd-dunivant" target="_blank">Todd Dunivant</a>, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/tommy-meyer" target="_blank">Tommy Meyer</a>) all have considerable MLS experience. Overall, the Galaxy have more talent on the bench than the Revs.</p>

<p class="rtecenter">Bench</p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1230_200x200.png" style="font-size: 12.222222328186px; width: 75px; height: 75px;"><p class="rtecenter"><script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/8495694.js"></script><noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/8495694/">Who has the better bench?</a></noscript></p>

<p>Defensive-minded midfielder <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/andy-dorman" target="_blank">Andy Dorman</a> and rookie striker <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/patrick-mullins" target="_blank">Patrick Mullins</a> have frequently come off the bench for New England in the playoffs. While they don&#39;t have the name recognition of their opponents, Jay Heaps may opt to move a number of midfielders and defenders around to try and gain a tactical advantage, and he will likely have at least one of frequent starters <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kelyn-rowe" target="_blank">Kelyn Rowe</a> and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kevin-alston" target="_blank">Kevin Alston</a> available off the bench.</p>

<p>Going for his record fifth MLS Cup as coach, <strong>Bruce Arena</strong> has a clear edge over his youthful counterpart. Not only is Arena one of the most decorated coaches in league history, but he&#39;s won two MLS Cups with this LA Galaxy team in the last three seasons. Sorry, Jay, but Arena wins this battle in a landslide.</p>

<p class="rtecenter">Coach</p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1230_200x200.png" style="font-size: 12.222222328186px; width: 75px; height: 75px;"><p class="rtecenter"><script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/8495697.js"></script><noscript><a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/8495697/">Who has the better coach?</a></noscript></p>

<p>Coaches don&#39;t win titles based on their resum&eacute;s, but based on what happens in the biggest games. Can <strong>Jay Heaps</strong> manage to get his underdog side the club&#39;s first MLS Cup and block LA&#39;s (and Arena&#39;s) quest for five? It&#39;s going to be tough for the third-year coach, but not inconceivable.</p>