Saturday evening at StubHub Center, the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA played to a 1-1 draw in the 33rd installment of the SuperClasico. At 20′, Eric ‘Cubo’ Torres scored for Chivas as the Galaxy had a nervy start defensively. Chivas came out in a 5-4-1, but played a high pressure game for the first 30 minutes, causing panic. Chivas had several chances early on. Torres scored on a rather innocent run up the middle. Youngster Marvin Rivero made a pass that got in behind centerback Leonardo and Torres finished the ball. After the goal, the backline calmed down and was much more confident in possession. The LA Galaxy created several chances, resulting in a 27′ potential double ‘Save of the Week’ nominee by Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. Landon Donovan sent a curler for the top corner that Kennedy got fully-extended hand to. The ball deflected off Kennedy’s hand, off the post, and back out to Sarvas. Sarvas headed the ball, but Kennedy scrambled back to grab it. Just eight minutes later, Sarvas delivered in a perfect chip to Zardes who headed the ball in from the top of the six yard box to the top corner.
The second half was relatively lackluster for the first 15 minutes, then the game got stretched with the two rivals going back and forth, creating chances, and promptly missing on them. Second half subs Rob Friend and Galaxy academy product Chandler Hoffman both had opportunities, but the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Bruce Arena and company have to be disappointed in the result going into the World Cup break. They’ve gotten a draw in their last two matches against two of the worst teams in MLS, and they did so with Landon Donovan available. That could have been two wins. Take a break from soccer, let the defense get healthy, get Omar Gonzalez back, and regroup for the second half of the season. But I digress.
Beyond this game and 2014, this season marks the end of Chivas USA and their rivalry with the LA Galaxy as we know it. Chivas has consistently been the doormat of MLS and the Galaxy. The 2005 expansion team was owned and operated by Chivas Guadalajara. While the mother club appeared to be a good partner in MLS, they’ve essentially operated the MLS franchise as a minor league farm team. Chivas USA has spent the majority of its existence as an extension of a Liga MX reserve/academy team. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2009. They’ve finish last in the Western Conference three of the last four years, usually by a wide margin. They have also been last in attendance by several thousand fans for a few years now. Fans with MLS inferiority complexes have yammered for years that Chivas is the eye-sour of the league and change is needed.
Commissioner Garber delivered. Prior to the beginning of this season, MLS purchased the club from owner Jorge Vergara. It is expected that the league will find a new owner to sell to, with the expectation that the new ownership will rebrand the team, keep them in LA, and find them their own stadium and practice facilities. Along with that, there’s the hope they won’t lose as much. The internet has begun to refer to the team as “Chivas TBS” (as in ‘to be determined’) in waiting for a new ownership group and vision.
As a Galaxy fan, I want and expect my team to win. I want them to win every game, beat every rival (glares at San Jose), and win every trophy. As much as I love routing this dumpster fire team and as upset as I get when we get a lackluster draw against them (see today for example), I do pity Chivas and its fans. MLSSoccer.com’s own Dan Haiek even coined the SuperClasico the most lopsided rivalry in soccer following Atletico Madrid beating Real Madrid in the 2013 Copa del Rey. The Galaxy are 21-4-8 all time against Chivas and have only lost the season series once (2007). This isn’t good for the team, the rivalry, or the league. Most Galaxy fans, myself included, would say the San Jose Earthquakes are our true California rival. They’ve been around longer and both teams have had periods of success against the other.
MLS has seen rebrands before and seen them work wonders. Look at Sporting KC. Get Chivas a new logo. Get them a new kit. Get them their own home (may I suggest the stadium name ‘Goat Hill’) in a good location. Cater to the Hispanic community and/or be the anti-Galaxy if necessary. Just form an identity. Build a roster. Connect with the community. They’ve got a great young coach in Wilner Cabrera.
This year might mark the end of the SuperClasico as we know it. It might not. For the league’s sake, I hope it does. We might actually need to travel to the away games against Chivas. Superclasico games that are Chivas home games might have more Chivas fans than Galaxy fans. And they might actually be a challenge. It would be more difficult, but more interesting for the Galaxy.
And if they can’t get a new stadium in LA, they still finish last (in the standings and attendance), and nothing changes, just move them to St. Louis. I’d be ok with that too.
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