Carson, CA (Sports Network) - As if either side needs any added incentive for
the latest installment of the Super Clasico, there will be more than just
three points on the line when the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA meet at
The Home Depot Center on Sunday.
The Galaxy have dominated the battle between Major League Soccer's two Los
Angeles clubs, but the reigning MLS Cup champions will looking to bounce back
from a humiliating 4-0 routing at the hands of Seattle Sounders FC last time
out.
"It's always important to bounce back when you get a bad defeat," forward
Robbie Keane told MLSsoccer.com. "It's important that we bounce back, and it's
always good to bounce back against another rival. I know the lads are looking
forward to getting back on the field and eradicate the mistakes and the way
that we played [in Seattle]."
Chivas, meanwhile, is undoubtedly looking to steal some of the spotlight away
from its urban counterpart.
The Goats have split the season-series with the Galaxy this term, claiming a
1-0 win on May 19 before faltering in a 3-1 loss. Taking six points from a
possible nine this year would go a long way toward initiating a shift in the
balance of power.
"It's the little victories," defender Danny Califf told MLSsoccer.com.
"Everyone realizes how important this is in the span of the season but that
little victory of taking back the season crown and really doing it in an era
when [the Galaxy are] trying to pull away, they're spending a lot of money,
they're really trying to differentiate themselves and all that, it's important
for us to let them know that we're the big dogs right now. That's important to
us."
It appears as if the final few months of the season could see the two clubs
battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles enters Sunday's tilt occupying the final slot with 33 points, but
three points for Chivas would see the Goats move to within four points of the
Galaxy with four games in hand.
"We take a lot of pride in this rivalry," Galaxy captain Landon Donovan said
in a Super Clasico news conference on Friday afternoon, "but I think more
importantly, probably for both teams at this point, is these could end up the
last two teams that fight for a playoff spot. That's where our focus is."
Califf echoed Donovan's sentiments, underlining how important Sunday's fixture
is for helping Chivas attain its goals for the season.
"It's probably the most important game for us so far this year," the Chivas
captain told MLSsoccer.com. "Not only will it put us within four points of
them with four games in hand, it's just the simple rivalry and us feeling in
general that we're playing second fiddle all the time. The fans feel it, we
feel it."
The Sports Network