Last season, the rivalry between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA could be seen by anyone who attended any of the matches between the clubs. Fans poured through the gates and flooded The Home Depot Center, whether wearing red-and-white, or green-and-gold.
One midsummer game held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum drew more than 80,000 fans. While it could be argued that a majority of those fans showed up to watch the second game of a doubleheader that night between Mexican arch-rivals Chivas of Guadalajara and Club America, the stadium was filled close to capacity long before the Galaxy-Chivas USA match was over.
However, the results on the field were anything but indicative of a heated rivalry. The Galaxy and Chivas USA met five times in all competitions last season, four times in the regular season and once in the U.S. Open Cup, with the Galaxy winning all five. In those five games the Galaxy outscored Chivas USA 13-3.
This season however, Chivas USA has shown signs of tremendous improvement, and it seems obvious to Los Angeles head coach Steve Sampson and everyone else in the Galaxy camp that the gap between these two rivals is getting smaller.
"I think it's going to be a great atmosphere (on Saturday). They call this game a classic," said the Galaxy manager. "I think it's moving in that direction. We knew going into this year that Chivas was going to be a much better team."
While the Galaxy head into Saturday night's game with almost the identical squad as last season's team, Chivas USA have a much different look. After last season's debacle, the Chivas front office made sweeping changes from the coaching staff right on down to the last man on the roster.
"When I look across the field I don't think we're going to see the same Chivas team," Pete Vagenas said this week in training. "As the rest of the league has seen, they're the most improved team in the league."
The Galaxy aren't taking anything for granted either. They know that last season's results can be thrown out the window. They established a certain air of dominance over their in-stadium rivals, and know that Chivas will be looking to erase all of that.
"If anyone thinks this is going to be a cakewalk this year, they're mistaken," said Sampson. "This is a team that has a great combination of leadership and experience and young players trying to find their way in this league. I think it's going to be a great match."
The Galaxy have stumbled out of the gate to open this season, and Chivas fans know this. They smell blood in the water, and the Galaxy can expect to see a rabid, pro-Chivas crowd at The Home Depot Center, in what is technically considered a road game for the stadium's original tenants. Regardless of how many supporters that Chivas has however, Vagenas insists that the Galaxy will feel right at home.
"No matter how many fans they have I know we'll have supporters," he said. "This will always feel like our home field."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
