Since its creation 16 years ago, Major League Soccer has been waiting to boast strong, entertaining and star-powered teams in the New York and Los Angeles markets.
For now, we have the Red Bulls and Galaxy in what could be an MLS Cup final preview. The Galaxy has struggled since the World Cup after starting the season looking untouchable, but still carry the mantle of Western Conference leader. The Red Bulls have grown stronger in recent months with the help of the arrivals of high-priced signings Henry and Rafael Marquez.
The match will boast intriguing battles all over the field. You have Marquez and Donovan renewing their long-standing battle. You have Omar Gonzalez, one of the league’s best defenders and brightest American prospects, going up against Juan Pablo Angel. You have MLS scoring leader Edson Buddle going up against MLS rookie of the year candidate and U.S. national team prospect Tim Ream.
That New York and Los Angeles enter Friday’s match as two of the better teams in MLS is the fulfillment of a dream for a league that has spent 15 years waiting to have strong teams in the nation’s biggest media markets.
The Galaxy has won before, with two MLS Cup titles and a tradition of success in the Western Conference. The New York team has been the one struggling to keep up its end of the bi-coastal bargain. The Red Bulls have shown flashes in years past, and have even given us some memorable matches with the Galaxy, but New York-LA has never boasted the type of rivalry in MLS that it has enjoyed in other top sports leagues.
That could change Friday night as two teams with championship aspirations and star power collide in the type of high-profile match we could expect to see more of in MLS in years to come.
Ives Galarcep is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering Major League Soccer and the U.S. national team.
