CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy will take on fellow Western Conference foe Real Salt Lake this weekend at Rio Tinto Stadium in a match that is always a competitive one.
So competitive that RealSaltLake.com has provided this nifty infographic that offers a breakdown on the series between the two Western Conference powers. Whether it is the 2009 MLS Cup or 2011 Western Conference Championship or just regular season clashes, matches between the two teams are always intriguing, but does that make them rivals?
I asked several Galaxy about their view of RSL and whether or not they consider them to be a rival.
Their thoughts are below...
SEAN FRANKLIN: "They are. I feel like they've been a rival since we lost to them in MLS Cup in 2009. Our games are always hectic against them. We've played them a couple times now in the playoffs and in the regular season, it's tough against them. Last year, we went [to Rio Tinto Stadium] and got a big come from behind win against them. It's always a tough game against those guys and they're a good team, a smart team that is well-coached. We're looking forward to the challenge this weekend."
MIKE MAGEE: "This is my fifth year here and every [year], you get the feeling that if you want to win an [MLS Cup] or [Supporters' Shield], you're going to have to play Salt Lake. It's obviously good to try and get in their heads early and win one at their place because you know that there's a decent chance that if you want to win a Cup then you're going to have to play a game in Salt Lake so that's the feeling."
A.J. DELAGARZA: “I think so. The last few years, there’s been some pretty good games between us two. Obviously losing in the MLS Cup final left a bitter taste so that’s why it makes them a rival for me, I guess.”
LANDON DONOVAN: "I guess, yeah, every team is a rival...We’ve had some really good games with them over the years and I guess you create rivalries by playing important games against teams that mean something and we’ve had a lot of that over the last few years,” said Donovan. “All that says to me is that we’re two teams that are consistently very good and that comes down to the stability of the organizations, the stability of the coaches and having good players and leaders on the field, which I think both of our teams have.”
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Is Real Salt Lake a rival of the LA Galaxy?
Share your thoughts below.
