Los Angeles Galaxy vs New York Red Bulls Match Preview
The Los Angeles Galaxy will be defending a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead when they play host to the New York Red Bulls in a Western Conference semi-final second leg.
Mike Magee settled the first leg when he collected David Beckham’s through ball and fired past Red Bulls goalkeeper Frank Rost.
The first leg was contested fiercely and ended in an ugly brawl that saw Galaxy midfielder Juninho, and Red Bulls defender Rafa Marquez receive red cards that mean they are suspended for this game.
Galaxy manager Bruce Arena will be pleased to have a one goal aggregate lead. “I give them credit; they came at us hard,” Arena said of the first leg. “(Thierry) Henry was a force all day. They have become a pretty direct team. And they are dangerous with Henry and (Luke) Rodgers up top – they just put us on our heels.”
Sean Alvarado and Leonardo are injury doubts for Los Angeles, while Juninho is suspended. David Beckham, Gregg Berhalter and Bryan Jordan are injury doubts for the Galaxy and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Henry and Rodgers are expected to lead the Red Bulls attack as they look to become the first team to beat the Galaxy in LA this season. Chris Albright, Sacir Hot and Carl Robinson are all sidelined with injury for New York, while Marquez is suspended.
The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2 at 11pm (Eastern Time) as the second half of a playoff double header.