Sports

Southern California "Super Clasico" not really a Clasico

Its not a Clasico, but Galaxy vs Chivas USA is still a rivalry.

LOS ANGELES - The LA Galaxy and Chivas USA face each other on Sunday night in the Stubhub Center. The clubs and the MLS call the match "Super Clasico" but the reality is that this match does not really fit what a "clasico" is; but regardless the match is still a local rivalry.

In an effort to build as much attention to the league; Major League Soccer has tried to fabricate as many rivalries as possible; especially local ones. The LA Galaxy vs Chivas USA match is one of these fabricated rivalries that has received the most marketing by the league in order to try and reach the Latino market in the United States, which is still something that the league has yet to be able to.

"Clasicos" are build over time, not over night. There has to be several memorable matches between them where there is something big at stake.

The fact that on the pitch one side is vastly superior to the other doesn't help the rivalry grow either. Also the fact that the brand of Chivas USA will no longer exist come next season puts a halt on the rivalry growing.

But even with the fact that the teams and league try to over-hype the match; this is still a rivalry. The Galaxy and Chivas USA share a city and a stadium. They compete for more than just 90 minutes on the field; they compete for the loyalty of the Los Angeles natives.

Once the league is able to sell the Chivas USA franchise to an independent owner, and this new owner is able to build a brand around it; then they can truly start competing against the LA Galaxy. Over time the rivalry could naturally develop into a "Clasico" especially if Chivas USA (or whatever the new team is called) could win a few championships; league titles (and more so is Galaxy were close contenders) could speed up the process for this match to become a "Clasico".

jonny.rico@sandiegored.com

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