CARSON, Calif. – Any trip to New York marks a special occasion for LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, who is a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. But Saturday’s return home figures to be unlike any other.
The Galaxy (9-3-11, 38 points) will be taking on New York City FC (10-7-8, 38 points) at Yankee Stadium on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (ESPN), and Arena admitted to having some mixed emotions about playing a match in one of the world’s most historic venues.
It might not be the original House That Ruth Built, but it is Yankee Stadium nonetheless. Arena estimated he saw 15 games at the original facility, which opened in 1923 and gave way to the new version in 2009, and former Yankees great Mickey Mantle remains his favorite athlete.
“I don’t think it feels wrong,” he said of holding a soccer match at what pretty much amounts to a baseball shrine. “I think the combination of that and the field dimensions make it odd. And you’re playing on a sodded infield. The New York Giants used to play in Yankee Stadium, and they didn’t do anything to the infield. They just lined it and it didn’t matter then.
“It’s certainly a little bit strange, and let’s hope down the road they have a soccer stadium because I don’t think it’s probably the right thing for them. It is for now.”
Arena has had his players training at the Yankee Stadium dimensions and was confident his team will be ready for the challenge.
“I think you just have to be conscious tactically of the trouble you can get into if you turn balls over in the wrong spot,” Arena said. “I think probably the weather Saturday will be more of an issue than the field. It’s going to be pretty warm and humid in New York and the East Coast this time of year, and the conditions are generally tough to play in.
“We’re playing an afternoon game. I think that’s going to be more challenging than the field.”
The Galaxy’s Robbie Keane, who likely will return to action after suffering an orbital fracture in a violent collision with New York Red Bulls goalie Luis Robles on Aug. 7, has played at Yankee Stadium with Ireland’s national team and said the Galaxy must expect the unexpected.
“It’s very narrow, obviously, different from what we’re used to playing here,” said Keane, who will wear a protective mask on Saturday. “It’s the same for both teams, but of course they’re used to it a bit more.
“It might take a little bit to get into it, but we certainly have to do it as quickly as possible because the last thing you want to do is try and figure out the field, then get a goal down and you’re chasing the game.”
New York City will be without head coach Patrick Vieira and defender Maxime Chanot, both of whom were suspended after receiving post-game red cards following last weekend’s 3-3 tie with Columbus. The Eastern Conference leaders have their share of firepower with the likes of David Villa, whose 15 goals are tied with Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco for the league lead; Frank Lampard with nine goals and Thomas McNamara and Andrea Pirlo, each of whom have nine assists.
The Galaxy will be without goalkeeper Brian Rowe, who suffered a head injury in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Colorado, and Dan Kennedy is expected to get his first start in goal since May 11. The five-time MLS Cup champions are led by Giovani Dos Santos with eight goals and Steven Gerrard with 11 assists.
“They’re playing well at the moment, and so are we,” Keane said of Saturday’s opponent. “It should be an interesting game.”
Yankee Stadium | Bronx, New York
August 20 | Week #24 | MLS Game #241
3 pm ET (ESPN | MLS LIVE in Canada)
- David Villa scored two goals – his fourth two-goal game of the season – and moved into a tie in the MLS Golden Boot standings with 15 goals as NYCFC concluded their two-game road swing with a second consecutive draw, reaching a 3-3 result with Columbus Crew SC on Saturday evening at MAPFRE Stadium.
- Frank Lampard also netted a goal for NYCFC, his ninth goal of the season, all over the last 10 matches (since June 18), as his club maintained its hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
- The Galaxy extended their league undefeated run to nine games with a third consecutive draw, coming back for a 1-1 result with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday evening at StubHub Center.
- The teams met once during NYCFC’s inaugural season, and it was a 5-1 rout for the Galaxy, Aug. 13 at StubHub Center. Robbie Keane scored two goals and set up two others; Giovani dos Santos also scored a goal and added an assist.
