August 23, 2015
Not too much can be said in preparation for tonight’s meeting between these two star-studded teams. Not for lack of words, but for words not being powerful enough to describe or predict what may happen during what is thought to be one of Major League Soccer’s most viewed matches, both in America and abroad.
Hosts LA Galaxy have dropped to the second spot in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference (12-7-7) after Vancouver Whitecaps’ win over FC Dallas last night. However Galaxy with 43 points is only trailing 2 points behind Vancouver, which adds to the importance of tonight’s game. Galaxy won its last MLS match at FC Dallas 2-1, and has the home advantage.
Visitors NYCFC are ranked 7 in the MLS Eastern Conference (7-11-7) and are tied at 28 points with Montreal Impact and Orlando City SC. New York is one spot below the red line, and is fighting for the last playoff position in the East. Although coming from a 2-2 draw at Columbus Crew earlier this week, the expansion team is starting to find its form now with all of its new soccer-legend arrivals.
LA now leads the league this MLS season with goals 44 goals scored, compared to New York’s 36. And the Galaxy conceded this season 31 goals, compared to NYFCF’s 39. Both sides have world-class midfielders and attackers, but with New York’s defense that is inconsistent at best, LA Galaxy are likely to create problems in New York’s territory.
So now that we are done with the dry figures and stats, we are left with the interesting part, which is all the soccer stars that are going to be on the pitch today.
Although in the past many of the players on the field have played aside, or against each other in several of the world’s top soccer teams and competitions; the two teams at their current forms are relatively new.
To name just a few: LA Galaxy’s Robbie Kean, Steven Gerrard, Giovani Dos Santos and Gyasi Zardes will be hosting NYCFC’s David Villa, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, and of course young Kwadwo Poku that became an instant star after coming out of nowhere and scoring two goals at Columbus Crew on Thursday.
