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Galaxy-Red Bulls Preview

Aug 13, 2010 - 6:27 PM Los Angeles (12-3-4) at New York (9-6-4), 6:00 p.m. EDT

The additions of Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez have the New York Red Bulls setting their sights on their first MLS Cup title. They may eventually find Landon Donovan and the Los Angeles Galaxy standing in their way.

In their toughest MLS test yet, Henry and Marquez will try to extend the Red Bulls' unbeaten run to four when they host the league-leading Galaxy on Saturday night.

New York (9-6-4) has gone 1-0-2 since signing Henry from Barcelona last month. The French forward has collected three assists in that stretch, one coming on midfielder Joel Lindpere's goal in a 1-0 win over Toronto on Wednesday.

The Red Bulls will have Marquez - Henry's teammate at Barcelona - at defensive midfield Saturday after he missed Wednesday's victory while playing in Mexico's 1-all tie with Spain. The came three days after a scoreless draw with Chicago in his club debut.

Combining the duo with forward Juan Pablo Angel - one goal behind Los Angeles' Edson Buddle for the league lead at 12 - has the Red Bulls favored to make a title run.

New York is the only original MLS team still searching for its first league or U.S. Open Cup championship. The club reached the MLS title game in 2008, but finished last in '09.

The Red Bulls are second in the Eastern Conference this season, six points back of Columbus.

"When I was there they were a bit of a disaster and now they seem to have their stuff together," Galaxy forward Mike Magee told his team's official website of his first six seasons spent with New York. "A lot of good players, good coaching and with the guys I've spoken to over there, they all seem to be happy with the way things are going."

The Galaxy, two-time MLS champions, have a league-leading 40 points and a four-point lead in the West. They won both meetings with New York last year.

"It's a massive game. This is what the league has always wanted, a strong L.A. team and a strong New York team," said Donovan, who has five goals and a league-high 11 assists in 13 games. "Now, with Marquez, Henry, and Pablo, it is going to be a lot of fun."

Los Angeles will need to fix a suddenly leaky defense as it braces for Henry and Angel, perhaps the most dangerous scoring partnership in MLS history.

The club is enduring a 1-2-1 stretch in which it has given up eight goals after allowing five in the first 14 games of the season.

The Galaxy gave up three goals in the opening 19 minutes against Chicago on Aug. 1 before their rally fell short in 3-2 loss.

"I think (complacency) has been the case with a number of players when they look at the league standings and see that we're out in front," coach Bruce Arena said.

Donovan scored twice on penalties against the Fire, and has four goals and two assists in four games. The midfielder had a goal in each meeting with the Red Bulls last year.

"This is a great game for us to play against a team that has been outstanding," New York coach Hans Backe told the team's official website. "It is too early to say if it is a statement game, but it is a great game."