CARSON, Calif. – It is being billed as the last Clasico, that being Sunday’s in-house battle between the LA Galaxy (12-5-7, 43 points) and Chivas USA (6-12-6, 24 points) at StubHub Center.
The 5 p.m. clash (Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Univision Deportes) will mark the final time the teams meet, with Chivas USA expected to be rebranded under a new name prior to next season.
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena and striker Robbie Keane don’t put much stock into the game’s importance – “It is what it is,” Keane said – but Landon Donovan and Alan Gordon took a different approach. Gordon has been on both sides of the rivalry, having been a member of Chivas USA in 2010, and called the series memorable.
“It’s been special for this league,” he said of the rivalry, which the Galaxy leads 19-4-7. “I think it was one of the real first rivalries because we share the same stadium. But it’s important for us to come out hard.
“That’s the thing about this rivalry game. It doesn’t matter where you’re at in the standings. They’re going to come out with everything. This is their whole season. We gotta come out with a good performance and put the nail in the coffin.”
Sunday’s third clash of the season between the clubs – the Galaxy leads 1-0-1 – will be the final one for Donovan, who recently announced his retirement and admitted he is sorry to see the rivalry go in its current form.
“Under the assumption it is the last one,” he said, “it would be a little bit sad. But I think the hope for all of us is that there is another franchise in L.A. in the future. We are in the midst of a pretty hectic stretch and we understand very clearly that their season for the most part probably hinges on this game. Not only because there’s playoff implications but they want to beat us.
“I guess every time I play a team for the last time it will be a little bit different, a little interesting. I want to make sure I enjoy it tomorrow, like I have all these games. But once the whistle blows it’s just another game we need three points in. That’s how I approach it.”
The Galaxy will be facing a Chivas USA side that has struggled in a season of upheaval. The team is being run by the league and head coach Wilmer Cabrera’s roster continues to be revamped. Defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, for example, came over from the Chicago Fire on Wednesday and will be eligible to play Sunday. Striker Felix Borja and forward Luis Bolanos were acquired on loan from Ecuadoran First Division side Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito and midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker arrived from Vancouver in exchange for midfielder Mauro Rosales.
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said preparations for Sunday won’t be that much different despite Chivas’ revolving door personnel policy.
“We’re no t consumed with the other team that much although we have to be aware of the new players,” he said. “It’s probably a little harder for them than it is for us because they’ve got to get them together on the field and working as a unit.
“But certainly they’ve had some good additions to their roster. I would think some would play on Sunday.”
He also downplayed the finality of the meeting.
“We’re going out to try and win the game whether it’s Chivas USA or one of the other 18 teams in the league,” he said. “It just so happens to be the team that occupies the same building.
“We certainly want to go out and win the game.”
