CARSON, Calif. – The hype continues to build for Sunday’s LA Galaxy-New York Red Bulls showdown at Red Bull Arena (2 p.m., ESPN2, ESPN Deportes), and deservedly so.
It’s the Galaxy against the Red Bulls, the only unbeaten team in MLS playing the defending champs.
It’s two of the league’s most storied franchises going head-to-head in one of the nation’s biggest media markets. It’s the East Coast versus the West Coast.
All the trappings appear to be there for something special.
“It sounds sexy doesn’t it, that matchup?” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said with a grin after training Tuesday. “I guess that’s why it’s on national television, right? It’s LA and New York.
“They’re off to a good start. We’ve been adequate over the last couple of games, so we’re hoping for a good game.”
The Red Bulls are 3-0-2 after last weekend’s 2-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes and the Galaxy improved to 3-2-2 with a thrilling, 2-1 triumph over Sporting Kansas City. Sunday’s matchup is the first meeting between the teams since last Sept. 28 at StubHub Center, where the Galaxy rolled to an impressive 4-0 victory.
The last time the teams played at Red Bull Arena, on May 19, 2013, the Red Bulls earned a dramatic, 1-0 decision thanks to a goal by Tim Cahill in extra time.
Before anyone tries to play up any possible rivalry between the franchises, Galaxy players and coaches beg to differ simply because the teams play only once a year. If it’s Galaxy’s rivalries anyone is looking for, they needn’t look any farther than the annual wars waged against Real Salt Lake, Seattle and even San Jose.
Yes, Sunday’s Galaxy-Red Bulls match is a big one. But a rivalry? Not in the truest sense of the word, even though there are some special aspects to it.
“People always look for angles,” Arena said. “In our league all the games are important because of the tightness of the league, and as you can see by the results so far this year no one has separated themselves from anyone else.
“I don’t think anyone can declare themselves as being real good at this point or real bad. It’s 20 teams still trying to figure themselves at this point.”
Galaxy defender Dan Gargan, who grew up in Philadelphia, said the East Coast, West Coast angle helps make games like Sunday’s a little more attractive than usual.
“When you have good teams going up against one another, and because it’s New York and L.A., which are big markets, it adds a little extra to the match,” he said.
The Galaxy’s Alan Gordon agreed.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a rivalry,” he said. “Maybe just an East Coast-West Coast, stick-the-chest-out type of thing. We both want to feel like we’re the dominant club in the league.
“It’s a classic battle and one we’re looking forward to.”
