“When that whistle goes and for 90 minutes when we are competing against each other it is war. We fight against each other, we always have. And when it’s over there is a mutual respect there.” -LA Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard on his rivalry with New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard
Saturday’s star-studded matchup between New York City FC and LA Galaxy at Yankee Stadium (3 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN Deportes) will reignite a long-lasting player rivalry between LA Galaxyy midfielder Steven Gerrard and New York City FC's Frank Lampard.
Both players are in tremendous form as Gerrard is tied for second most assists in MLS with 11 and Lampard has nine goals in his last 10 games. In 20 head-to-head matchups between Lampard’s former club, Chelsea, and Gerrard’s former club, Liverpool, Lampard holds the edge with a 10-7-3 all-time record. Gerrard will be seeking some payback as their last meeting resulted in a 2-0 Chelsea win at Anfield in April 2014.
Entering the week, LA sits third in the Western Conference standings (38 points, 9-3-11 record) claiming a nine-game unbeaten streak, while NYCFC tops the Eastern Conference (38 points, 10-7-8 record), winning three straight at home. LA’s defense ranks second best league wide with a mere 23 goals allowed this season, but it will have its hands full against forward David Villa, who is currently tied for the Golden Boot with 15 goals.
