CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said those in attendance could be in for a treat Sunday at StubHub Center, when the New York Red Bulls pay a visit (5:30 p.m., ESPN2).
A matchup between two of the league’s powers has the makings of one of the better ones of the season, Arena said.
“They’re a good team,” he said. “It’s going to be a good game, two teams that like to play and are capable of scoring goals.
“It should make for an exciting game for the fans.”
The Red Bulls (10-8-11, 41 points) lead the Eastern Conference with 48 goals scored, thanks mainly to the exploits of Bradley Wright-Phillips, the league’s leader in goals with 24. He is tied for fifth in MLS history with Carlos Ruiz and is just three behind the record shared by Roy Lassiter and Chris Wondolowski.
Wright-Phillips, who has five multi-goal games this season and leads the Golden Boot race by four goals over Sporting Kansas City’s Dom Dwyer, had only one goal in seven games last season after coming over from England’s Brentford FC.
“Clearly, Wright-Phillips is sort of unstoppable right now,” said the Galaxy’s Landon Donovan, who has a league-high 15 assists. Galaxy teammate Robbie Keane is tied for second with 14. “But people are sort of overlooking way (New York’s Thierry) Henry plays and the service he provides.
“They’re as good an attacking tandem as there is in the league right now.”
The Red Bulls, who routed Seattle 4-1 at home a week ago but haven’t won on the road since a 2-0 win over New England on June 8, also feature Australian Tim Cahill, whom the Galaxy know quite well. It was his stunning headed goal on an extra-time free kick last May 9 at Red Bull Arena that was the difference in a 1-0 victory.
The Galaxy’s A.J. DeLaGarza said that play was brought up by coaches prior to Friday’s training session.
“I remember that play, the last minute of the game,” DeLaGarza said. “Tim Cahill rose over Omar (Gonzalez), (former Galaxy goalkeeper) Carlos (Cudicini) and me; he’s a guy who’s very dangerous. He can jump out of the air.
“I think you saw that in the World Cup with a pretty good goal. He’s a special player as well.”
The Galaxy (15-5-9, 54 points) are looking forward to Sunday’s much-anticipated showdown, if for no other reason than to continue their impressive play of late. They lead the league in goals scored (59) and fewest allowed (31) and are unbeaten in eight games (6-0-2). They’re also 13-2-6 in their last 21.
“Obviously we’re in a pretty positive environment right now,” Arena said. “It should make for a great game with two good attacking teams.”
Added Keane, “We’re certainly looking forward to it. We’re in a good rhythm at the moment.”
