New York Red Bulls Vs. LA Galaxy, 2011 MLS: How Times Have Changed

Who can remember the last time the New York Red Bulls and Los Angeles Galaxy squared off? Yes, you in the front, and in the back, and on the left. Yes, everyone in the class can remember the last time the two biggest clubs in MLS met because it was the best match that the league has seen all season. Heck, it might be one of the best matches that the league has ever seen in its history.

The first half was sublime and could have been confused with almost any match in any league. The match had the hype you would expect from a Los Angeles versus New York match up and it wasn't just well played. The stars showed up for the match too with Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan doing the goalscoring in the 1-1 draw. It lived up to every bit of the hype, but that was a long time ago.

That first match between the Red Bulls and Galaxy was way back on May 7, or 150 days ago. 150 days ago, LA and New York were the top two teams in MLS. Now the Galaxy are still up at the top, but the Red Bulls are just barely hanging on to the final playoff spot. They have become the kings of the tie (stealing the crown from the Fire), seen Rafael Marquez decide he's too good for the rest of his team and made a couple baffling player moves (when you have Dwayne De Rosario, you don't trade him).

If there is anyone that more represents the Red Bulls' plunge from May 7 to now it is Tim Ream. When the Red Bulls played in LA, he saved the point for New York by hustling back and clearing a ball off the line with a great sliding play. In all, he was very strong that match and tracked the Galaxy runners all match long. Now he is a mess, drawing criticism from everywhere and trying to do his best to merely look like a competent center back.

When the two teams square off at Red Bull Arena on Tuesday, LA will be without two of their stars as Robbie Keane jets off to Europe for a pair of Euro 2012 qualifiers with Ireland and Donovan sits out with an injury. David Beckham is battling a bad back and might not play either, while Sean Franklin and Gregg Berhalter are out and Donovan Ricketts, MIke Magee and Chris Birchall may also miss. Even with all of their injuries, the Galaxy still have a chance to get a result. The Red Bulls have fallen that far.