SuperClasico Round One Chivas USA, Los Angeles Galaxy: The Battle For LA

The 2009 battle for Soccer dominance in Los Angeles begins this Saturday. As Chivas USA has gradually emerged as MLS Cup contenders over the past few years, the Galaxy have shifted in the opposite direction. Regardless of the records every year, the battle between Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy to claim possession of the SuperClasico is passionate and exciting.

The Galaxy, come into the match with one point, a two-goal performance by Landon Donovan saved a point in Week one. A two-assist performance by Donovan in Week three kept the Galaxy just short of controlling Conor Casey's hat trick. As Berhalter gets set to join the Galaxy and strengthen the back line alongside the fast-maturing Franklin, the Galaxy search for the first win in a series usually dominated by the Galacticos.

Chivas USA sits atop the league coming into Week four, as one of two teams rolling with nine points. After knocking off former Supporter's Shield and MLS Cup bearing Columbus Crew, it appears that Chivas is the team to beat in the West. Even when plagued by injuries, newcomers have stepped up to give the Goats the edge in the past weeks.

ESPN2 is taking coverage of the game for the first Saturday night game on ESPN this year. The first of many to not be titled, Thursday Night Primetime—a move that hopes to increase viewership. Seeing a sold-out crowd in LA on a Saturday night looks better than 11,000 somewhere on a Thursday. The Galaxy open their US Open Cup journey Tuesday night facing Colorado for the second time in three days. Two games in one week has long plagued teams in MLS, most recently shown last week when the Crew lost both Thursday and Sunday.

As Chivas USA looks to strengthen their place as an annual force in the West, the Galaxy look to re-establish themselves as the marquee Western Conference franchise. Both teams know that the road to MLS success comes through Los Angeles. And the battle for LA pride begins Saturday night in the SuperClasico.