GALAXY: Shield repeat? Ask EA Sports


ESPN.com: Soccer

Thursday, March 8, 2012GALAXY: Shield repeat? Ask EA Sports


How will the Galaxy fare in 2012? Better than 2011, says EA Sports.

At least during the regular season. L.A. posted a 22-3-9 record for 75 points -- best all-time -- in the gaming company's “FIFA Soccer 12” simulation of the coming Major League Soccer campaign. 

EA Sports, which last year had the Galaxy winning the Supporters' Shield in its simulation (and the MLS Cup title in a further simulation), predicts a third straight Shield and fourth successive Western Conference regular-season crown despite some fierce opposition. 

The simulation predicted Real Salt Lake, the Galaxy's foe in Saturday's MLS opener at Home Depot Center, would go 19-4-11 to finish second in the overall and Western standings. New York, at 18-7-0, won the Eastern Conference. 

The Galaxy scored the most goals (62), fueled by Golden Boot winner Robbie Keane with 19, and despite Omar Gonzalez's knee injury conceded the fewest (21). Landon Donovan, one of three just Americans in the top 10, is the No. 4 goalscorer, with 15. 

Chivas USA finished sixth in the West, out of the playoffs, with an 11-15-8 record, and were outscored, 51-41. 

Here are the final standings from the simulation, which was released Thursday: 
Western Conference 
1. Galaxy 22-3-9, (62-21 GF-GA), 75 points 
2. Real Salt Lake 19-4-11 (61-26), 68 
3. FC Dallas 13-10-11 (47-42), 50 
4. Seattle 14-12-8 (47-44), 50 
5. Colorado 12-13-9 (41-45), 45 
6. Chivas USA 11-15-8 (41-51), 41 
7. San Jose 9-13-12 (39-46), 39 
8. Vancouver 7-13-14 (40-49), 35 
9. Portland 6-22-6 (31-67), 24 

Eastern Conference 
1. New York 18-7-9 (60-29), 66 
2. Columbus 17-9-8 (47-33), 59 
3. Sporting Kansas City 17-9-8 (43-31), 59 
4. Houston 17-10-7 (46-39), 58 
5. Chicago 14-14-6 (45-45), 48 
6. Philadelphia 11-13-10 (38-47), 43 
7. Toronto FC 10-14-10 (36-44), 40 
8. D.C. United 8-15-11 (35-46), 35 
9. New England 7-20-7 (25-57), 28 
10. Montreal 5-19-10 (29-51), 25 

Golden Boot 
1. Robbie Keane (Galaxy) 19 goals 
2. Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United) 18 
3. Fredy Montero (Seattle) 17 
4. Landon Donovan (Galaxy) 15 
5. Danny Koevermans (Toronto FC) 14 
6. Chris Wondolowski (San Jose) 12 
7. Thierry Henry (New York) 11 
Eric Hassli (Vancouver) 11 
9. Milovan Mirosevic (Columbus) 10 
Juan Agudelo (New York) 10



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