CARSON, Calif. - Some of Chivas USA's new players have a long history against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Others have only seen the two-time MLS Cup champions on television or from the stands.
But the importance of facing the club's in-stadium rival is not lost on the club's offseason acquisitions.
"They have some very good players and everybody is expecting a great rivalry match," Chivas USA forward Maykel Galindo said. "It's going to be an important game for them but an even more important game for us."
Galindo, Amado Guevara and Alex Zotinca have been fixtures in the lineup thus far this season and figure to start against the Galaxy as well. Along with first round SuperDraft choice John Cunliffe, the quartet will participate in a Super Clasico for the first time Saturday when Chivas USA visits the Galaxy at The Home Depot Center.
While Galindo has not played against the Galaxy before, others have long been playing games against Los Angeles. Guevara, for instance, has been a thorn in the Galaxy's side for most of his four years in New York. He scored three goals and tallied four assists against the Galaxy during his time with the MetroStars/Red Bulls.
Still, Guevara cautioned against taking comfort - or finding dismay - in previous results. Guevara shrugged off Chivas USA's dismal 1-7-1 mark in all competitions against the Galaxy since the two clubs began facing off against each other in 2005.
"Those were under different circumstances. If we want to talk about the past, I can bring up the fact that I've only lost one game against the Galaxy, and that doesn't mean anything," Guevara said. "What is in front of us is the most important. The past is the past and that story has been written. We're only focusing on the three points ahead of us and looking at the Galaxy."
Even though the Galaxy presents a unique challenge when compared to any other MLS club, the preparation in the week leading up to the match remains unchanged, Guevara said.
"The preparation has to always be the same. We always have to work hard and we know that if we want to get ahead we must continue working hard," he said. "The work needs to be the same and we need to always maintain our focus. Our attitude needs to be the same and we can't deviate from that."
If Chivas USA can replicate the mentality that they had going into the match in Houston - a rivalry that is in many ways on par with the one against the Galaxy - players said the club would be fine.
Despite a 1-0 loss to the MLS Cup holders, Galindo said the club had the right mindset for the match and was unfortunate not to have walked away with at least one point.
"We have to have a winning mentality. We lost at Houston but we felt good in the way we went in there," Galindo said. "We are playing in our stadium as well. We're going to feel like we're in our house and I think there will be a lot of our supporters for us. We just need to go in without fear and try to come away with a win."
Meanwhile, Chivas USA coach Preki is not new to the Chivas USA-Galaxy rivalry. But last year, he was in the background as then-coach Bob Bradley's assistant. Now, he takes center stage in guiding the club into another Super Clasico series.
Like Guevara, Preki was a thorn in the Galaxy's side. In his playing days, Preki scored eight goals and had nine assists in 31 games played against the Galaxy.
Having lived through the series a year ago from the bench, Preki said he knows what to expect on Saturday.
"They are intense, hard games. They are games that if you are a player you want to be part of," Preki said. "If you like big games, that's a big game. Mentally everybody has to be ready to play in those games."
With a rival such as the Galaxy in front of his club, Preki said the electricity and atmosphere should be higher than most games.
"The expectations are high and I'm sure there is going to be a lot of intensity in the game," Preki said. "Hopefully it's going to be a good game for the people who are going to be in the stadium. Hopefully it will be an exciting game and hopefully we get the result."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
