Why Saturday's game between the LA Galaxy & Red Bulls is a Family Affair | OneFootball

The last time these two teams played against one another the stakes were much higher. On December 7, 2024, the Los Angeles Galaxy hosted the New York Red Bulls for the league's 29th MLS Cup championship.

Fast forward five months later and the LA Galaxy have not won a meaningful MLS game since. However, the Red Bulls would qualify for the playoffs if the season ended today.

Just like in the 2024 MLS Cup Finals, both teams shared a common bond. Multiple families were a part of that championship game. The same can be said for Saturday evening's rematch.

Another historical meeting among two families

In 2017, an uncle and a nephew won a MLS championship together. This happened when Toronto FC finally figured out the Seattle Sounders in a rematch of the 2016 MLS Cup Finals.

Former LA Galaxy player and current head coach Greg Vanney led the charge for his team for the second year in a row at BMO Stadium. Him and Eriq Zavaleta shared a special and historic moment.

It marked the first time in league history that an uncle and a nephew won an MLS title together. History then repeated itself last year when the LA Galaxy won their sixth championship.

With the victory, a pair of brothers on the New York Red Bulls could not hoist the title together. Soccer players Sean and Dylan Nealis can extract a small measure of revenge by defeating the winless LA Galaxy.

The Nealis brothers share defensive duties on the Red Bulls' back line. Sean made his debut with MLS and New York in 2019. Dylan broke into the league in 2020 with Inter Miami. He joined the Red Bulls in 2021 after playing four games for Nashville SC.

Zavaleta and the Nellis brothers will take the field tonight at 7:30 p.m. (ET) and 4:30 p.m. (PT). Sports Illustrated Stadium is the stage for this evening's rematch as the Red Bulls look for their fifth win and the LA Galaxy are searching for their first.