The Los Angeles Galaxy's Todd Dunivant still vividly recalls the first-ever meeting between Los Angeles and Chivas USA. It was April 23, 2005 and he said there was an electricity in the air, something he felt even in warmups.
Landon Donovan also remembers the atmosphere as being unlike anything he'd ever experienced in previous MLS games.
"They're great games," Donovan said. "Every year they seem to be the most exciting, the most intense games we play in."
The Galaxy won that day, 3-1, and went on to beat Chivas USA, than an expansion team, in all four meetings that season. The teams have met 18 times during the regular season, with the Galaxy holding a commanding 10-3-5 advantage, including two victories and a tie in 2009, but now it's MLS Cup Playoff time and past records generally are regarded as meaningless.
The Home Depot Center co-tenants meet Sunday in the highly-anticipated first game of a two-game Western Conference semifinal series. It also will mark the first playoff game matching two Los Angeles-based professional teams.
"Hopefully we make history and be the first to win it," Donovan said. "I think everyone is going to enjoy it, and hopefully we enjoy it a little more than they do."
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the playoff edition of the SuperClasico is the first postseason series in a single venue since the 1944 World Series at St. Louis' Sportsman's Park between the Cardinals and Browns.
The Galaxy's David Beckham called the situation "weird."
"But it's good," he said. "When you play your rivals there's always expectations. There's a little more pressure and a little bit more on the games, but I think when you get to this point in the season or the playoffs it doesn't matter who you play, whether it's your rivals or other teams that reach the playoffs.
"They're all big games. It will be tough."
Beckham also said he couldn't compare this to anything earlier in his career. He did mention Real Madrid facing FC Barcelona, but those teams don't share the same facility like the Galaxy and Chivas. Manchester United-Manchester City always has been one of England's most-anticipated derbies, but they don't play on the same field either. Another of his clubs, AC Milan, did play Internazionale in the quarterfinals of the 2004-05 UEFA Champions League; they do share the San Siro Stadium.
"Every time we played Man City, Man United were quite a few points ahead of them ... luckily," he said with a grin. "I've never had a game like this where you come up against your rivals, but it doesn't matter. Whether it's a game like this or during the season, when you play your rival it's a different game than the rest of the games."
Unlike rivals in other sports, the Galaxy's relationship with Chivas has been cordial for the most part. Many of the coaches and players are friends and front-office employees work with each other almost every day.
"In all honesty, it's a mutually respectful relationship," Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. "The players I know there are very good guys. It's nice talking with them when I have the opportunity. It's not like a relationship where we're at opposite ends of the building and don't interact. It hasn't been that all."
But that could change Sunday with so much at stake. Galaxy players said they can't wait.
"Meeting in the playoffs is going to be special," Dunivant said. "It's always been a heated rivalry, there's always been an extra spark."
"We're excited," Donovan said. "This is an opportunity for the league, moreso for us, to showcase two very good teams in the same city that don't particularly like each other too much. It's going to be a lot of fun."
Larry Morgan is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
