After playing six of their last seven games away, New York City FC returns to Yankee Stadium to take on the LA Galaxy in a star-studded showdown Saturday afternoon.
Get your tickets now!
With nine games left in the regular season, NYCFC remains atop the Eastern Conference with 38 points, one point clear of second-place Toronto FC, and comes into the game following a wild 3-3 draw with the Columbus Crew SC Saturday night at MAPFRE Stadium.
David Villa struck for a late brace to move into a tie with Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco atop the MLS scoring list and Frank Lampard netted his ninth goal in 10 games as NYCFC improved to a league-best 6-4-3 away from home.
NYCFC have also won their last three games at Yankee Stadium, including a 5-1 triumph over the Colorado Rapids on July 30.
The LA Galaxy are level on points with NYCFC and sit third in the Western Conference, seven points off the pace set by FC Dallas. Coached by Bruce Arena, the LA Galaxy come to Yankee Stadium with a nine-game unbeaten streak, which includes three consecutive draws.
“I’m really looking forward to it because we’re playing a good team, one of the best, if not the best, managers in the league full of experience, they have individual quality on the field and it will be a big challenge for us,” NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira said. “When they’re going forward they have some strength one-against-one, they’ve got pace, people who really understand the game, who can finish as well. It’s a really good team, no doubt about it, one of the best teams in the league.”
The LA Galaxy rallied to draw the Colorado Rapids Saturday to remain undefeated at StubHub Center. Steven Gerrard set up Daniel Steres for the 62nd-minute equalizer after Shkelzen Gashi put the visitors in front on 51 minutes.
The LA Galaxy are led by the attacking trio of Giovani dos Santos, Gerrard and Robbie Keane, but have a roster full of quality players, including left back Ashley Cole, a former teammate of Lampard at Chelsea.
RELATED: Frank Lampard Excited to Face Former Teammates Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard
This is the second-ever meeting between the squads with the LA Galaxy prevailing at StubHub Center, 5-1, last August 23.
“We know last year was a very disappointing result there and we want to cast ourselves as a team that’s going to challenge,” Lampard said. “Its very important that we try and put that right and show the form we’ve been showing this season and particularly the last couple of months.”
Get your tickets now!
Broadcast: ESPN | WFAN (Online) | WADO | International
