Italian sausage, peppers and onions on Portuguese rolls from Newark -- and kicking the ball around with my sons. I know that part of the night will be great. But when it comes time for the game ... here's a First XI of what I'll be looking for:
11. Beckham in the lineup. Let's go, David. I know it's FieldTurf. I know that plant-foot ankle is unstable, but this is LA vs. New York and your team has been in free-fall. You need to be in the starting lineup. Sure, it's selfish on my part, and I know it's more likely you'll come on for the final 30 minutes, but when the big crowd is assembled and the house is at its loudest, during the intros, that's when I want to see you on the field. Go out there and give me 45 minutes and come off at half. I'll talk it over with Frank Yallop for you.
10. Boo him. I remember Freddy Adu's first game at the Swamp and it was like 30,000 Adu fans showed up to cheer on their hero. No, no, no. Red Bull fans, you need to let Becks know this is a big game and he's on the side of the enemy. Boo him at the start, boo him every time he touches the ball, mock his mis-hits, and if you're in the Empire Supporters Club, come up with some of your best insults. I know you will.
9. Show some desperation. All right, LA, your season is riding on this game. Yeah, yeah, that may be a bit premature, but how many more points can you cough up if you expect to make the playoffs? Landon Donovan, you need to take the field as if this were the biggest game of your life. You need to have that look in your eye you had a year ago when you led the Galaxy to a come-from-behind win against Chivas USA in the SuperClasico at The Home Depot Center. We need to see a furious Galaxy.
8. Red Bull response. There have been too many games in the history of the MetroStars/Red Bulls where a large crowd has turned out and the home club has turned in a stinker. Every fan over the age of 15 remembers the inaugural home opener, when Nicola Caricola scored a 90th-minute own goal and the MetroStars lost. And they probably also remember about 53,000 showing up to see the Galaxy storm the Carlos Queiroz-coached Metros 4-0 that same season. There have been other eggs laid in the history of this team. Well, Saturday night is another shot at redemption for New York.
7. New York, meet Juan Pablo Angel. So, I suspect a lot of fans will be coming out to see their first Red Bulls game of the season Saturday night, so what better time for New York's marquee player, Mr. Angel, to say hello. Give them a night to remember Juan Pablo, and maybe you'll have your own legion of adoring fans for the next few years.
6. You, too, Clint. Hey, Clint Mathis, it's been a pretty good comeback year for you, bud. Now, how sweet would it be for you to score a turn-back-the-clock goal in front of a huge crowd? Maybe you can even show Becks how you can nail a free kick. And, when the moment comes, Clint, how about the I Love NY shirt, for old time's sake?
5. Play fast. Sure, it's August, but it's a night game. Get your engines running, Red Bulls and Galaxy. Do not let the air out of the balloon on Saturday night. High pressure soccer is what I want to see. I want chances on both ends. I want it to be relentless for 90 minutes. Seriously, you guys on both teams have to be pumped up for this one, no?
4. Keep pace. For the Red Bulls, first place in the East is still very much within reach, especially if they can get three points out of this match. They'll only be three points back of the Revs, who have a tough one on Sunday in Kansas City. If this is going to be the year for N.Y. to make it to an MLS Cup Final, don't kid yourselves, home field in the playoffs is very, very important. Home points down the stretch are essential.
3. Make a statement early. I hate to ever bring up officiating, but I want the referee in this game to do his job early in the match. If there's an early tactical foul, a shirt tug or something of that nature, bring out the early yellow card. Do not let the game get chippy early and then start changing things up later on. Make your statement early in the match to give this match a better chance of opening up for the fans.
2. Big night for you, kid. Jozy Altidore looked great last week and that's great news for the Red Bulls. Now, with the spotlight on, it would be a great step forward for the 17-year-old striker to score a highlight reel goal or two, make the highlight reels and begin to become a household name in U.S. soccer as the next World Cup cycle begins. Saturday night could be a huge professional coming out party for you, son.
1. Give me a memorable moment. That's all I ask of both the Red Bulls and the Galaxy. This is a big opportunity for both teams, in the biggest market of them all, to show what kind of soccer is possible in MLS. Doesn't have to be like Wednesday night's incredible free kick, but that would still be fine. Deliver the goods. Give us a classic. Play like it's the last game of your lives. Not only will I be there, but so will many of my ESPN colleagues, the people I tell all the time, "The league is really good." Make me look good.
Jeff Bradley is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. Send your comments and complaints (200 words or less, please) to Jeff at jbradleyespn2003@yahoo.com and he promises to read (but not respond to) all of them. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or MLSnet.com.
