The Los Angeles Galaxy easily played their best game of the season when they defeated Chivas USA 3-1 in the first installment of the Super Clasico. Landon Donovan scored one goal and added a pair of assists to pace the Galaxy to the April 28 win.
That first game was technically a home game for Los Angeles. Sunday's match will be a home game for Chivas USA, and the Galaxy can expect a much different environment in that game. Despite the hostilities, the Galaxy still feel as though there is no such thing as an away game at The Home Depot Center.
"I don't think it will feel any differently. It usually doesn't," said Donovan. "We're coming off of a home loss so it's another game we feel we need to play better."
The Galaxy are trying to get back in the win column following a bitterly disappointing loss to New England. Frank Yallop didn't hesitate to say his team didn't play very well during that game and is expecting his troops to put forward a much better effort against their in-stadium rivals.
"We're looking forward to this game on the weekend to try and bounce back," said Yallop. "We know it's a long season and we'll get the results when we do everything correctly."
The schedule couldn't have thrown up a better team for the Galaxy to try and bounce back against. The Galaxy have completely dominated this series, and even though it's a rivalry still in its infancy, the games bring out the best in both clubs.
"Sometimes you just can't explain why, against certain teams, your team seems on fire," said veteran midfielder Pete Vagenas. "Historically I think we've played (Chivas) seven or eight times and we've had one below average game against them."
For some members of the Galaxy the rivalry goes a bit deeper than just sharing a market or a stadium. The culture behind the two clubs has started to spark a bit of a rivalry as well.
"They're a Mexican team. That's motivation for me," said Donovan. "For the other guys I don't know how much, but I don't like losing to Mexican teams."
It's not as though the rivalry needed any more fuel added to the fire. The two teams see each other every day in the halls, and bragging rights have firmly been held by the Galaxy so far. It's something that Los Angeles isn't willing to relinquish without a fight.
"At the end of the day it's bragging rights. We're athletes, we're competitive," said Vagenas. "We see these guys daily and we smile and shake hands. But I want to make sure in the back of our minds that we know and they know that we've got one up on them."
The Galaxy have won both of the season series between the two clubs so far. Last year however, the Galaxy missed the playoffs for the first time in club history while Chivas USA advanced to the postseason for the first time in their history. Even though Los Angeles has an early series lead this year, the standings are already starting to come into play.
"(Chivas) is three points up so this can put them six points up. We don't want to do that," said Donovan. "Even though we have games in hand that puts us behind the 8-ball."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
