While they may well have some new noisy neighbours to compete with, LA Galaxy are still very much presenting the perfect postcard picture of just how strong the MLS is and can be. With Zlatan fever still in the air, we capture the scenes as New York Red Bulls came to town.
No one can take away the history that is silverware strong at LA Galaxy. Having won countless MLS awards, it's with a competitive edge that New York Red Bulls arrived at the Stub Hub Center. LA Galaxy have fluttered in form at home so far this season so this was a chance to put in a rock solid show. Unfortunately for Galaxy, it's in defence where the gaps are opening up this season.
Zlatan had a debut that couldn't be better scripted as his goals ensured the Galaxy beat LAFC 4-3 in the dying seconds almost a month ago. Football however, as he will very much know, moves on quickly and this game was a timely reminder that there's work to be done. In a similar late show, it was the 84th minute which saw them lose control of this fixture as NYRB's Romero Gamarra scored the winner in a 3-2 win for the visitors.
Still providing emphatic scenes and a carnival crowd, the spoils will go to Red Bulls on this occasion but the backdrop will forever belong to LA. That's three defeats on the bounce for Galaxy. For Red Bulls, the fine form continues and they head back East packing a strong points haul.
Photography by Alex Penfornis for SoccerBible
