There is a legitimate rivalry brewing in southern California.
In the last meeting between Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Super Clasico, the new kids won for the first time ever. The added success that Chivas has had all season has meant that the games between The Home Depot Center roommates actually mean something in the playoff race.
Last season the Galaxy won all four regular season games against Chivas, and then for good measure, knocked the Goats out of the U.S. Open Cup too. This year Chivas claimed the first-ever victory and now stand five points ahead of the Galaxy in the standings.
"It's set up to be a fantastic game," said Galaxy coach Frank Yallop, whose first game in charge of the Galaxy was against Chivas, the 2-1 loss on June 8. "Chivas has done very well this season and I feel we've started to turn the corner. We're excited."
Glaring absences for the Galaxy in the last meeting between the teams were Landon Donovan and Chris Albright. Chivas was without a pair of World Cup players as well in Claudio Suarez and John O'Brien. Now that both teams are fully loaded, Donovan feels that this weekend will be a truer test of just how far Chivas has come in this fledgling rivalry.
"Now it feels like a real rivalry. Last year was different because they were an expansion team," said Donovan, who assisted both goals in the Galaxy's dramatic come-from-behind win over Chivas in the first meeting this season. "Now it's both teams at full strength playing well."
In addition to the competition on the field, one thing that contributes to the excitement of the rivalry is the atmosphere in the stands. Even last season, when the series was so lopsided in favor of the Galaxy, the games were the most electric and intense games in all of MLS. Donovan says you can even feel the excitement during warm-ups.
"You feel the energy in the stadium. You always get that in these games," said Donovan. "I think that brings more out of players."
Even Yallop, who spent a majority of his career playing in England, got a taste of that energy in the second Super Clasico this year. Even though that was his first-ever game at the helm of the Galaxy he recognized that this game was worth a lot more than just wins and losses.
"It felt like there was more at stake than just three points," said Yallop. "There's more bragging rights or getting one up on your rivals."
The magnitude of this Saturday's game is amplified by the fact that Chivas USA sit five points ahead of the Galaxy in the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. Even at the midway point of the season, this game already has playoff implications, which is a first in this series.
"Anytime you play the team you're chasing it's like baseball. When you play the teams in your division you have to win those games since you make up the most ground," said Chris Albright. "It's big. These games are the biggest games coming up."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
