LA Galaxy Prepare for First Game At Yankee Stadium
- Updated: August 20, 2016
The LA Galaxy (9-3-11, 38 points) hit the road today to take on NYCFC (10-7-8, 38 points) at Yankee Stadium. This marks the first time in club history that the Galaxy will play at Yankee Stadium.
With head coach, Bruce Arenas, being a native from Brooklyn this game makes for a special “return home.” He did admit that his feelings on playing in such a famous ground were mixed.
“I don’t think it feels wrong,” he said of holding a soccer match at what pretty much amounts to a baseball shrine. “I think the combination of that and the field dimensions make it odd. And you’re playing on a sodded infield. The New York Giants used to play in Yankee Stadium, and they didn’t do anything to the infield. They just lined it and it didn’t matter then.
“It’s certainly a little bit strange, and let’s hope down the road they have a soccer stadium because I don’t think it’s probably the right thing for them. It is for now.”
The team have been practicing playing within the dimensions of Yankee Stadium. Robbie Keane said the following on the match:
“It’s very narrow, obviously, different from what we’re used to playing here,” said Keane, who will wear a protective mask on Saturday. “It’s the same for both teams, but of course they’re used to it a bit more.
“It might take a little bit to get into it, but we certainly have to do it as quickly as possible because the last thing you want to do is try and figure out the field, then get a goal down and you’re chasing the game.”
The two sides will be without key personnel. NYCFC will be without their head coach, Patrick Viera, and defender Maxime Chanot.
LA Galaxy will be without goal keeper, Brian Rowe, but will be replaced by Dan Kennedy.
Catch the game at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN!
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