When the LA Galaxy and New York City FC converge at the StubHub Center on Sunday afternoon, the sides might provide the greatest collection of talent to ever grace an MLS match (3 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN Deportes).
Soccer icons from 15 different countries across the globe make Sunday’s showcase one with international intrigue. Among those international players are several World Cup participants, including Robbie Keane (Ireland), Giovani dos Santos (Mexico), Steven Gerrard (England), Frank Lampard (England), David Villa (Spain), and Andrea Pirlo (Italy). The players on hand have represented the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus, Tottenham, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, and AC Milan on the club stage. NYCFC’s cast of stars boasts an impressive lineup of hardware, including a pair of World Cup trophies (Pirlo, 2006; Villa, 2010) and four UEFA Champions League titles (Pirlo, AC Milan, 2002-03, 2006-07; Villa, Barcelona, 2010-11; Lampard, Chelsea, 2011-12).
Soccer icons from 15 different countries across the globe make Sunday’s showcase one with international intrigue. Among those international players are several World Cup participants, including Robbie Keane (Ireland), Giovani dos Santos (Mexico), Steven Gerrard (England), Frank Lampard (England), David Villa (Spain), and Andrea Pirlo (Italy). The players on hand have represented the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus, Tottenham, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, and AC Milan on the club stage. NYCFC’s cast of stars boasts an impressive lineup of hardware, including a pair of World Cup trophies (Pirlo, 2006; Villa, 2010) and four UEFA Champions League titles (Pirlo, AC Milan, 2002-03, 2006-07; Villa, Barcelona, 2010-11; Lampard, Chelsea, 2011-12).
Big names are only the tip of the iceberg for the clubs, however. The Galaxy boasts one of the most intimidating lineups in MLS thanks largely to the contributions of five U.S. nationals in Gyasi Zardes, Omar Gonzalez, Robbie Rogers, Alan Gordon, and Sebastian Lletget. NYCFC, meanwhile, has seen a slew of breakout performances from Thomas McNamara, Kwadwo Poku, and young defenders Shay Facey and Angelino. Former Athletic Bilbao defender Andoni Iraola also arrived in New York during the Secondary Transfer Window, bringing the experience of more than 400 career La Liga matches with him.
Individuals aside, this game has significant playoff implications, especially for NYCFC. After upsetting the number one team in the Eastern Conference, D.C. United, at Yankee Stadium last week, the club will play Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday before heading cross-country to LA. NYCFC needs to earn positive results in both matches as the club sets its sites on a playoff spot amid a tight race in the East. A road win over a red-hot LA Galaxy team gunning for its sixth MLS Cup would go a long way in helping NYCFC as they look to climb the rankings in the East.
Individuals aside, this game has significant playoff implications, especially for NYCFC. After upsetting the number one team in the Eastern Conference, D.C. United, at Yankee Stadium last week, the club will play Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday before heading cross-country to LA. NYCFC needs to earn positive results in both matches as the club sets its sites on a playoff spot amid a tight race in the East. A road win over a red-hot LA Galaxy team gunning for its sixth MLS Cup would go a long way in helping NYCFC as they look to climb the rankings in the East.
By: Editor
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