As First Kick, presented by Dick's Sporting Goods approaches, MLSsoccer.com is marking each passing day with a different statistic, observation or talking point, setting the stage for the beginning of the 2012 MLS campaign.

28 – goals scored by LA Galaxy against Real Salt Lake all-time

The LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake – two of the most successful teams in MLS over the past three seasons – will meet on opening weekend at The Home Depot Center with 2012 pole position at stake. They'll also meet with a cumulative regular-season record that currently stands tied at 7-7-5, with LA holding the advantage in goals scored with 28 to RSL's 24.

And while the Galaxy may have knocked Jason Kreis' team out of the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2011 with a 3-1 victory in the Western Conference Championship en route to an MLS Cup victory, RSL will always have MLS Cup 2009, an upset victory that sparked a revival on the field in Utah and a run to the CONCACAF Champions League finals.

The question in 2012 is which team will take the all-time series lead, as LA have added even more weapons to their Supporter's Shield- and MLS Cup-winning squad from a year ago and RSL welcome Javier Morales back into the fold. Including the matchup on opening weekend, the two sides will meet three times in 2012 – twice in Southern California and once at Rio Tinto Stadium.

If history is any indication, they could find themselves face-to-face in the playoffs for the third time in four years as well.

LA take on Real Salt Lake to open the 2012 regular season on Saturday, March 10. GET TICKETS!