The first leg of the Superclasico is set to kick of tonight, as the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA meet for the first time in 2011. Both teams are coming off wins, a clasico rarity, as Chivas got a 2-3 victory in New Jersey last week and the Galaxy soundly defeated Kansas City 4-1 at the Home Depot Center. Galaxy will be looking to preserve an eight game unbeaten streak in the clasico, a streak which dates back to 2007. Chivas played their first match in 2005.
Chivas' first win against the Galaxy came in 2006, and then they were able to pick up two wins on the final two meetings in 2007. The Galaxy however have managed 14 wins and a .739 winning percentage. One would expect fireworks in this rendition, since the two clubs combined for 7 goals in their last matches. Three current Chivas players (Tristan Bowen, Ante Jazic, and Paulo Nagamura) have donned the Galaxy whites at some point. So one would expect an open and heated game. However, it's also worth noting the Galaxy have 10 shutouts against Chivas USA in 22 matches.
Landon Donovan, with seven goals over his last five matches, figures to make an impact once again. In 17 matches against Chivas, Donovan has managed 17 combined goals and assists (9 goals, 8 assists). Donovan's goals last week put him in the lead for the MLS Golden Boot. He also moved into fourth all time with 110 career goals, moving him past Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis.
Of course, Donovan wasn't the only one to score. Juan Pablo Angel scored his first goal since March 26th and David Beckham scored his first of the season (10th of his MLS career). It was the first time in MLS history 3 designated players have gotten on the score sheet.
The big story for Chivas last week was Justin Braun's hat trick, starting in place of suspended Marcos Mondaini. The hat trick was the first in Chivas history.