Whenever Chivas USA plays the rival Los Angeles Galaxy, bragging rights for southern California are on the line.
As the area's two professional soccer clubs and the only teams in Major League Soccer to share a stadium, the SuperClasico seemingly always represents an opportunity to measure up against the rival.
For players, though, these matches take on an added dimension.
"It's an important game because we have to see these guys every day," Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein said. "The fact that you beat them you are the one that has the upper hand, more confidence and you get to carry on that little swagger while you see each other. If you lose, you feel horrible. You don't want to see those guys."
Leading up to the first SuperClasico of 2008, Chivas USA players are hoping to once again get the better of the Galaxy. A year ago, Chivas USA won the first SuperClasico series in club history after winning the final two games against the Galaxy by 3-0.
Winning any match is important, players said, but this is the only one where you can walk around with a swagger around the team players have just beaten.
It's that aspect that makes the Clasico unique and special.
"It's important for us to get a result not just for ourselves but for the fans the club and for the organization because when you win a Clasico game against the Galaxy, you walk around the stadium with your head held high," Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. "You can say 'We got the better of you this week and until the next one, we'll see what happens.' That's what makes a rivalry and that's what makes it fun and competitive and creates that atmosphere that you don't have in any other game. That's what makes it a Clasico."
Chivas USA's moments of confidence and swagger have been pretty much confined to the end of 2007. In 2005, the Galaxy won all four regular-season meetings against Chivas USA. A year later, the Red-and-White scored the first victory over the Galaxy but finished the year with a 1-2-1 mark against the Galaxy.
A year ago, Chivas USA rebounded from a 3-1 early-season loss by tying the Galaxy 1-1 in May before reeling off a pair of 3-0 wins.
On Aug. 23, Chivas USA welcomed David Beckham to the SuperClasico series with an eventful and memorable 3-0 win. Beckham had played the day before in London for England and finished the night having played all 90 minutes against Chivas USA.
Midfielder Jesse Marsch was involved in a bust-up with Beckham after a challenge late in the first half.
"We knew there was a lot of attention on it and obviously things got a little bit out of hand with the situation between Beckham and I and the subsequent soccer fight," Marsch said about the match. "It wasn't that much different than any Clasico game. I had to deal with a lot of different things after that game and I tried in a respectful way to talk about the game, talk about how I still think David Beckham is a good player and he's important for this league and important for the Galaxy."
Marsch insisted after the match that there were no hard feelings between the two and said he respects Beckham when the players' paths cross in and around the stadium.
"Not much has changed," Marsch said. "I see him around The Home Depot Center. I try to be respectful."
Against the Galaxy, seemingly more than three points is on the line. Though Chivas USA would welcome any win against any team, Saturday's task is not just against a typical opponent, players said.
"It means a lot on a lot of levels just to win this game," Bornstein said. "It's a big game every year and it's the first one of the year so I think you want to start the year off well."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
