CARSON, Calif. - Several players from this year's Chivas USA team lived through the Super Clasico last season and felt the highs and lows the Los Angeles derby can provide.
But only a quartet remains from 2005, when the rivalry was less than super.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan and midfielder Francisco Mendoza are likely to start against the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday, while forward Matt Taylor has appeared in all three games this season as a substitute.
All were members of Chivas USA when the Galaxy won all four regular season matchups as well as a U.S. Open Cup meeting in 2005, and all were either on the field or on the bench when Chivas USA battled back with a win and a scoreless draw from four games a year ago.
For Mendoza, who played in three of the Super Clasicos the first season, last season's 2-1 victory against the Galaxy on June 8 was a landmark win. Not only did Chivas USA win their first-ever match against the Galaxy, it showed their rivals what the Red-and-White can achieve.
Coupled with the club's accomplishments from 2006, Mendoza said he felt the Galaxy see Chivas USA as more of a rival now than after the 2005 season.
"Aside from having a weight taken off of us, they know that they have to respect us," Mendoza said. "They don't see us like they did in the first year, when they would tell us that we don't belong in this league and things like that. Their team now respects us and even more now. They know what we are capable of."
One player, though, who has not had much success against the Galaxy is Guzan. Although Chivas USA won and tied a game against the Galaxy, it was with Preston Burpo in goal. Guzan is 0-6 against the Galaxy and has allowed 16 goals in those games.
Guzan, though, looked at his own history with the Galaxy through the team's perspective.
"A lot of media is comparing this year to last year, this year to the first year or whatever. This is a new year for us. We're all in it together. It's a new group of guys," Guzan said. "We're putting the last year behind us. We're going to push forward and we'll be ready on Saturday."
Still, memories of stinging losses the Galaxy have dealt him are still present. But that won't necessarily put Guzan at a psychological disadvantage, coaches said.
"He's a professional," Chivas USA goalkeeper coach Zak Abdel said. "Stuff like that doesn't affect him."
Abdel, who spent seven years as goalkeeper coach with the Galaxy, compared Guzan to another talented U.S. goalkeeper and his own lack of success in specific games.
"We know for the last 10 years, Kasey Keller is the best 'keeper in the States, but he never won a World Cup game. Does that mean he's not good? That doesn't mean anything in reality," Abdel said. "For me, the Galaxy game and the (Salt Lake) game is three points. It's a game like any other game. There is nothing more than that."
Guzan has had two shutouts at The Home Depot Center this year. Taylor scored a goal last home game, a 4-0 rout of Real Salt Lake. Mendoza has contributed with an assist. Orlando Perez, the fourth remaining player from 2005, has not seen action this year, however.
Even though Chivas USA have done well thus far this season, Mendoza said he did not feel his side plays the role of the favorite entering into Saturday's contest.
"Anything can happen. Even though we have two wins already, I don't see us as the favorite," Mendoza said. "This game is more difficult than any other."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
