Galaxy Face Old Foe
Galaxy forward Landon Donovan (l) is a key figure in the Galaxy - DC United rivalry. (lagalaxy.com)
In the not too distant past, the mere mention of DC United at the Rose Bowl or Home Depot Center had a tendency to trigger loud jeers, boos and other reactions not suitable for TV broadcasts. All of it stemmed from the heated rivalry the Galaxy and United have shared since the inaugural MLS season in 1996.
Over the years, United and its fans rejoiced over twice beating the Galaxy in the MLS Cup final and the blue-and-gold's inability to get good results at RFK Stadium in DC. But then came the Landon Donovan era. With Donovan on the team, momentum began to shift in favor of the Galaxy, to the point that good performances at RFK are no longer seen as novelties.
Today, a new chapter in the colorful history of this rivalry will be written when the two face each other at RFK Stadium. It will be a clash between the league's best and worse teams. Never have the two teams met with such disparity between the two.
This time it is the Galaxy fans that have plenty to brag about. The blue-and-gold have put together an excellent 2010 campaign and sit atop of the league standings with 11 victories and only two losses. DC on the other hand is probably wishing they could back to their successful preseason. With only three victories under their belt, they sit at the very bottom of the league standings.
Despite the disparity on paper, the history between these two clubs has a tendency to serve as a good motivator, which in turn has produced some great matches. This one should be no exception.
Lastly, although not directly related to today’s match, check out this video featuring Grace Parra and the Galaxy’s Bryan Jordan, AJ DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant and Sean Franklin
Galaxy at DC United
July 18th, 2010 @ 4:30 PM
TV: FSC, FSE; Radio: 1330 AM, 1150 AM