New York City FC striker David Villa spins his man on the edge of the box and unleashes a sweet shot which bounces just in front of LA Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. The former Bradford man is equal to it though and shows strong hands to beat the ball away from goal.

A grassy bank to park your picnic blanket on for afternoon tea in the sunshine? What more could you ask for?

Frank Lampard might be missing but there is an Englishman starting in the New York City FC side.

Manchester City defender Shay Facey, 20, has made a decent impact having joined on loan initially in March. 

That loan has since been extended and although Manchester-born Facey has yet to make a senior competitive appearance for Manuel Pellegrini's side, he is a regular starter for his temporary club.

Image source, AP

A snap show from distance by LA Galaxy's Giovani Dos Santos, however Josh Saunders gathers safely. Both teams testing each other out at the moment.

A lovely lofted pass from the hirsute Andrea Pirlo, who has effortlessly strolled around the pitch thus far, sends former Spain striker David Villa scampering away but his shot is saved by LA Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

Right, that's the Star-Spangled Banner and pre-match pyrotechnics out the way. We're finally under way in a sun-drenched Stubhub Center.

Let the youngsters do all the hard work? Put your feet up? This Major League Soccer lark is easy....

Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane might look relaxed here with LA Galaxy boss Bruce Arena but you can bet your bottom dollar they will fired up come kick off.

And the players are out on the pitch as the American national anthem is sung kick-off is just a matter of minutes away.

Image source, AP

Frank Lampard actually revealed in an interview with Football Focus that he actually almost joined opponents LA Galaxy and move to Major League Soccer a few years ago

"I had a couple of opportunities a couple of years ago.They didn't happen in the end.," Lampard said.

"It wasn't the right time for me then and New York was coming round and it's certainly the right time for me now."

Image source, Getty Images

New York City FC head coach Jason Kreis speaking to Sky Sports about the decision to leave Frank Lampard out against LA Galaxy: "If he was going to be on the bench we needed him to be flying and ready to come and make an impact late in the game.

 "He's really close to playing but this is not the one to throw him in for. Hopefully he'll be fit for next week against Columbus Crew."

Image source, BBC Sport

If you need any help making up your mind on who will be the bigger hit in MLS, here's a snapshot of what both players did back in English football.

Lampard looks to have the edge in terms of Premier League appearances, goals, assists and win percentage. He also won more overall trophies than his England counterpart. 

Of course, statistics don't tell the whole story.

Both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have decided to finish their careers across the pond in Major League Soccer.

Now we know that Lampard isn't fit tonight but we would still like to know which of the two legendary midfielders do you think will be the bigger hit on the pitch in the United States? And with the supporters?

Will the passion which Gerrard played with for Liverpool that so enamoured him to the Kop see him be the most successful? Or will Lampard's shear weight of goals and assists make him top dog?

Let us know your thoughts using #bbcfootball on Twitter or texting us on 81111 (UK only and please let us know your name).

Image source, instagram.com/franklampard

As well as New York City FC team-mates Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, Frank Lampard has been rubbing shoulders with former Italy forward Alessandro Del Piero this week.

He posted on his Instagram, external account on Saturday: "Great to be back on the training pitch with the lads. Also to meet a player I've admired so much over the years in Alessandro Del Piero. Big game against Galaxy for the team."

Just a shame that Frank is not quite ready for his shown down with Steven Gerrard...

LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena speaking to Sky Sports before kick-off: "Steven Gerrard is a great professional and you know his talent and experience. 

"He's quickly won over our team and our fans. When you stick him next to Robbie Keane it gives you something special."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Of course, Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard are not the only players in the LA Galaxy squad that are familiar names to fans of football in these parts. 

Jamaican goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is remembered on these shores for a spell with Bradford City from 2004 to 2008 having failed to make an appearance with Bolton Wanderers.

Finland midfielder Mika Vayrynen played for Leeds United while defender Robbie Rogers was also on the books at Elland Road and had a loan spell at Stevenage. Mexican Giovani dos Santos played for Tottenham, while fellow midfielder Sebastian Lletget was in West Ham's youth team. 

The teams are in. We already know that Steve Gerrard is starting and he is joined in the LA Galaxy team starting line-up by former Liverpool team-mate Robbie Keane who is already well established in these parts

LA Galaxy XI:  Ricketts, DLG, Gonzalez, Leonardo, Rogers, Zardes, Juninho, Gerrard, Lletget, Keane, Dos Santos 

New York City FC are without Frank Lampard through injury, but still include Andrea Pirlo and David Villa in their team.

New York City FC XI: Saunders, Iraola, Facey, Hernandez, Angelino, Jacobsen, Pirlo, Poku, Diskerud, McNamara, Villa

As we were saying, the LA Galaxy marketing men have really gone to town on the Steven Gerrard v Frank Lampard rivalry.

Maybe best to keep those t-shirts in the cellophane wrappers until later in the season now...

Of course, we were not the only ones caught short by Frank Lampard's absence from the New York City FC side.

The marketing men for LA Galaxy clearly banked on him being fit and billed this contest to the American public as a clash between the two heavyweights.

They mocked up the match in the style of the old school boxing posters under the headline 'The British Invasion'.

Image source, LA Galaxy

At least, we had hoped to bring you Steven Gerrard v Frank Lampard.

The problem is Lampard has not been included in New York City FC's matchday squad because of a calf injury and misses the match.

Still, we still have Gerrard, Robbie Keane, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo to look forward to so stick with us.