LA is blessed with having two professional teams in the MLS, the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA. Both teams share a home field at the Home Depot Center and are at the center of one of the most intense rivalries in all the league, the Super Classico.
The Galaxy have been in the league since its inception in 1996, originally playing in Pasadena at the famous Rose Bowl. People like Cobi Jones, Jorge Campos and Mauricio Cienfuegos and are now joined by international stars like Landon Donavon and David Beckham on the list of players who have donned the LA crest (who remebers this crest?). They have a legacy of success, appearing in the first ever MLS cup in 1996, although falling to DC United. Since then, the Galaxy have claimed the cup two times-- in 2002 and 2005-- and have appeared in the Championship match two more times in 1999 and 2001. The have become the symbol of soccer in LA and have a loyal fan base, many of whom have been with the team for over10 years.
Similarly, Chivas USA boast one of the largest fan bases in North America-- due primarlity to their connection to C.D. Guadalajara in Mexico-- even though they did not join the leauge until 2004. Chivas Guadalajara owns the most championships in the history of the Mexican Premier Division and their success carried over to the American counterpart when in 2007 Chivas USA finished on top of the Western Conference. Though they are still seeking their first Championship birth they are becoming a main stay in the MLS playoffs.
At present the Galaxy and Chivas are, fittingly, deadlocked in the middle of a two game cumulative playoff bout. The first game ended in a 2-2 tie with Chivas being the home team at the shared stadium. Sunday is the final match to determine who moves on, but until the final whistle LA soccer fans are split. The game is sure to be an exciting match and who ever wins we hope an LA team will be making the flight to Seattle to play in the MLS Cup on November 22nd.
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