Home Depot Derby: Galaxy vs. Chivas In MLS Playoffs

It's a clash of cultures in Los Angeles. But on the pitch it has been all Galaxy lately.

By KURT HELIN

Updated 2:40 PM PST, Fri, Oct 30, 2009

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Well, we didn’t get the Freeway Series here in Los Angeles, but we did get the Home Depot Derby.

The Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA — both of which call the Home Depot Center home — face off in the first round of the MLS playoffs, starting Sunday. It makes for an interesting matchup (and helps keep the league’s travel costs down).

It’s a clash of cultures as much as a soccer match. The Galaxy befits their name — they have the big stars like the now-bearded David Beckham and Landon Donovan. Chivas goes by the nickname The Goats. Beckham sits courtside at Lakers games and the paparazzi flock to him. If Eduardo Lillingston showed up for a Lakers game, half the photographers wouldn’t even know that there was another soccer team in LA. The Galaxy’s stars played in Europe. Chivas stays true to its Mexican roots — they often have a paletero, a popsicle vendor with a cart, at practices.

On the pitch, it is the Galaxy that have the advantage — Chivas has not beaten them in a match since 2007. And they may not score that much this time around — the Galaxy won the Western Conference this year because their defense has solidified and allowed just 31 goals this season (they gave up 62 last season). Chivas scored just 34 all season. Unless Chivas’ Sacha Kljestan can find a way to create in the midfield and bring the attack forward consistently, it could be a hard series.

Chivas plays good defense, too, they also allowed only 31 goals. But the Galaxy have the quick strike ability with the Beckham to Donovan combination that few teams in the MLS can match. It will take just one moment of magic to put Chivas in a hole the Goats will find it hard to climb out of.

Rivalries — true, deep rivalries — are made in the playoffs. There’s a reason Lakers fans hate the Celtics but think of the Clippers like roommates. Now with these two roommates going at it in the playoffs, we may finally have a serious rivalry to watch here in Los Angeles. And they don't even have to get on the freeway.