Quotes from L.A. Galaxy practice on NYCFC, Lampard v. Gerrard

britinvasionThe Galaxy and New York City FC will throwdown in the MLS matchup of the century Sunday at noon at StubHub Center. Fans are advised to arrive early for the star-studded game that features six designated players and some of the biggest names in the sport. Galaxy players and L.A. head coach Bruce Arena met with the media Friday after practice to talk about the big storylines of the game. Some of the notable quotes from the media session:


 

Head coach Bruce Arena brucepresser

On Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard: They’re both great players. One thing about that, is that they have a proven history of scoring goals out of the midfield, which is pretty unique. They have been great players and will continue to be great players. I think it’s almost impossible to compare them.

On NYCFC’s transition into MLS: New York is a crazy place to try to play in. Logistically, the city, I’m sure it’s a major headache on the organization and the players. They’re eventually going to have a home of their own, so there’s a lot of things ahead. In the first year, they’ve kept their heads above water. It’s a very difficult transition in the greater New York area to have a professional soccer club.

Galaxy's Giovani dos Santos gets the ball past Sounders' keeper Stefan Frei (24) for a goal in a MLS soccer game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 09, 2015, Carson, CA.. The Galaxy won 3-1 and was the debut MLS game for Mexican star player Giovani dos Santos.Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle SoundersPhoto by Steve McCrank/Staff Photographer

Photo by Steve McCrank/Staff Photographer

Forward Giovani dos Santos

On how he’s adjusting to the Galaxy: I feel very well here. I feel fit now. I feel more comfortable with my teammates. Now I understand them more and I’m happy for the team because I feel we’re getting stronger every single day and we’re looking forward to playing on Sunday and getting the three points.

On how he’s been able to settle so quickly: I think when you have a great team with great players, it’s easy to settle here. I came here with a lot of motivation to win a lot of things here and I think we have a great team.

On Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard: They are some of the best players in the history of football. They play in the same part of the pitch, but I prefer a lot of Stevie, I think. Stevie is the best midfielder in the history of football. He’s my idol so what can I say about him?

On being called an “unselfish player” by his teammates: The important thing is to help my team. I’m not a selfish player. When I see another teammate in a better position to score a goal, I think about it to pass them the ball. Everything I think about inside the pitch is to help my team to win games.

Forward Robbie Keane 

keanoOn David Villa: I’m a big fan of David Villa. I think he’s a fantastic player. His record over the years for the national team and domestically in Spain is obviously very good, so he’s certainly someone I have admired from afar.

On how Giovani dos Santos has changed since they played together in Tottenham: He’s got older. He’s more mature. When he came to Tottenham, he was only an 18-year-old kid. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the chances I think he deserved at times. We had a lot of older players in front of him, which was difficult. But he’s here now, he’s with a good team, a good football club that looks after the players very, very well. And he’s enjoying his football, which is the most important thing. He’s got a smile on his face and as long as he continues to do that, he’s going to be a massive success.

On the hype surrounding Sunday’s game: I couldn’t really care less, to be honest with you. Whether I’m playing New York or anyone else, it’s the same thing: go out and win the game. That’s the most important thing, as long as the team does well and as long we put the effort in, regardless of who we’re playing again, I couldn’t care less.

Midfielder Steven Gerrard 

Galaxy's Steven Gerrard celebrates his first MLS goal against the Earthquakes in a MLS soccer game at the StubHub Center, Friday, July 17, 2015, Carson, CA. The score at halftime was tied 2-2.Los Angeles Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes.Photo by Steve McCrank/Staff Photographer

Photo by Steve McCrank/Staff Photographer

On trying to stop Andrea Pirlo: It’s easier said than done. I think anyone can stand here and talk about how to stop Pirlo, but the difficult thing is to try to do it on the pitch. He’s a magician with the ball on his feet. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to say, “don’t give him time, don’t give him space and be aggressive when he receives the ball,” but it’s a lot easier to say that than actually doing it.

On his rivalry with Frank Lampard: That’s real. When that whistle goes, for 90 minutes, it’s war. We fight against each other, we always have. When the whistle goes to finish, there’s a mutual respect there. We’re always got on off the pitch, regardless of what other people say. And that will be the same case, if he plays from the beginning, or if he comes on, we become enemies. When the game’s over, we become friends again.

On Robbie Keane’s being the best striker in the league right now: That’s a fact. He’s the MVP. If he didn’t have the injury, I think he’d be way out in front as far as goals are concerned. His goals are building up nicely. When I came in, one of the jobs from Bruce Arena was to keep providing service Keano and that’s what myself and the team has done. We’ve certainly given him the chances and he’s thriving on them. He’s in form at the moment and so is David Villa, so I think he’s going to be a good shootout between them both.

Defender Omar Gonzalez 

Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Photo: USA TODAY Sports

On stopping David Villa: Something I noticed during All-Star Week is that he’s very quick, he’s very fast. On top of him being fast, very technical, very skillful with the ball, it’s going to take a lot to be able to stop him.

On if this game is special: I think these games are always special because they are big names, big players, who are big names around the world. A lot of people are going to be watching this game, so we want to put up an exciting game of football and it should be a fun one.

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