With the first-ever Major League Soccer (MLS) match-up between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and LA Galaxy set to take place on Bell Pitch at Empire Field this Saturday afternoon, the ‘Caps are looking forward to hosting the MLS Supporters' Shield favourites and Western Conference leaders for a variety of reasons.
With an attendance record at Empire Field ready to be confirmed by one of most anticipated matches this season, it will likely just be another day in the life of the Galaxy. In a league known for parity, with playoff berths always up for grabs, the Galaxy have proven to be a level above the competition since their inception in 1996. Considered one of the pillars of the original ten clubs within MLS, the Galaxy brand has grown exponentially from winning championship titles to owning superstar talent from across North America and around the world.
To strike a comparison about the value LA Galaxy represents, 'Los Galacticos' are widely considered the 'New York Yankees' or 'Los Angeles Lakers' of MLS, with only decreased economic affects inside a smaller league. Whenever LA travels throughout North America, host teams' stadium attendances dramatically increase to witness California’s dream team. When players like Landon Donovan are injured or David Beckham is suspended, social media outlets ignite with disappointment, while work production levels halt due to increased water-cooler talk over news about the Southern California outfit.
Simply put, the Galaxy have captured North American soccer stardom through a variety of platforms that have increased the value of both the club and MLS. They have captured two MLS Cup titles (2002 and 2005), with four separate appearances in the final as runners-up (1996, 1999, 2001, and 2009). They have captured the MLS Supporters’ Shield as regular season champions three times (1998, 2002, and 2010) and are seven-time Western Conference champions. The Galaxy also captured the 2000 CONCACAF Champions' Cup (predecessor to the CONCACAF Champions League) and have been twice champions of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (2001 and 2005). As a result, the Galaxy have become one of the most decorated clubs in MLS and are currently poised to add another Supporters' Shield and Western Conference title to their trophy cabinet in 2011.
But LA's reputation as a premier club represents more than just hard work and success obtained throughout their 15-year history. The club's top two players, American international midfielder Landon Donovan and English star David Beckham, are two of the league's best talents that combine impressive resumes, with the fame only Los Angeles can provide.
Considered the heart and soul of American soccer, Donovan has played with the Galaxy since 2005 and amassed 81 goals in 157 appearances. A two-time CONCACAF Gold Cup champion and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup runner-up with the United States, Donovan also played in the German Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen and spent time on loan with FC Bayern Munich and English Premier League side Everton FC.
A former Manchester United FC youth sensation and Real Madrid superstar, Beckham joined the Galaxy to much fanfare in 2007 and is responsible for the increased popularity of MLS, while still holding claim as one of the best 'dead ball' specialists in the game.
In addition, the Galaxy continue to be one of the most successful and feared teams in MLS. Their present record of 11W-2L-9D currently leads the league with 42 points, with another Western Conference title very much in their sights this season. The club remains undefeated at The Home Depot Centre with a 6W-0L-5D record, with head coach Bruce Arena piecing together a dynamic offensive/defensive strategy that seems nearly perfect with a goal differential of plus-12 (second best in the league). Throw into the equation that the Galaxy are on a 13-match unbeaten streak, and you have the most dominant team in MLS. In a league full of parity, this is a remarkable accomplishment.
So while the Galaxy have battled Whitecaps FC twice before in international friendlies, the opportunity to see the league's top side at Empire Field will bring different types of spectators to East Vancouver. Whether it is the hardcore fan coming to watch the class of MLS, a casual fan interested in the celebrity of their players, or a new fan caught up in all the enthusiasm, LA Galaxy will gladly play the role of superstar in any feature presentation.
