Galaxy-Red Bulls Preview

Some of the biggest stars in MLS have played for the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls - two of its most recognized clubs in two of the country's biggest markets.

For the current players, any sort of fabricated rivalry between the two ends there.

Los Angeles will be without reigning MVP Robbie Keane on Sunday as it looks to end a nine-game road winless streak against a Red Bulls team that stands as the only unbeaten squad in the league.

Landon Donovan helped the Galaxy win three of the last four MLS Cup titles before retiring after last season's championship, and the Red Bulls no longer have standouts Thierry Henry or Tim Cahill.

Those big names shared the field in previous meetings, but the clubs reside in different conferences and never have met in the postseason. The previous four head-to-head matchups had been decided by one goal before Donovan scored a goal and recorded two of his three assists on Keane's tallies in Los Angeles' 4-0 win Sept. 28.

"I wouldn't say it's a rivalry," Galaxy defender Robbie Rogers told the team's official website. "Maybe just an East Coast-West Coast, stick-the-chest-out type of thing."

New York captain Dax McCarty has a similar outlook.

"I don't put it that high on my list of rivals that we have," he said. "It's a high-profile game because of the big names that get to play, but I wouldn't consider it a big rival of ours."

Each team is focused simply on coming out of this matchup with a win rather than reminiscing about any history - or lack thereof - between the clubs.

Los Angeles (3-2-2) rallied to beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 at home last Saturday on Omar Gonzalez's goal in stoppage time - the second contest Keane missed because of a strained groin. A setback in practice this week will keep him out for at least another.

Defender Leonardo said he's ready to play after missing the last three with a strained quadriceps, but Luis Villarreal aggravated a hamstring injury in an exhibition match with the U-23 national team Wednesday and is questionable.

The Galaxy are looking to snap a 0-5-4 road stretch that dates to last season.

"It's tough without (Keane)," Rogers said. "At times it hasn't been as pretty as usual, but when you have this many injuries early in the season, you have to fight through these things and just win games."

New York (3-0-2) beat San Jose 2-0 last Friday and has won both of its home contests. Sacha Kljestan and Mike Grella scored for a new-look Red Bulls team that also includes first-year coach Jesse Marsch.

"They don't have any Henrys on the field and neither do we," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "They have a team that works real hard. It's more of a team concept, not relying so much on individuals anymore."

Marsch also has been impressed with how Los Angeles has maintained success without Donovan.

"Losing Landon, he has been a big part of their identity for many years," Marsch said. "But again, they still have a very talented group and they'll be ready for this game."

The Galaxy and Red Bulls have split the last six meetings.