SuperClasico stakes higher than ever

CARSON, Calif. -- By all accounts, Chivas USA players get up for the Los Angeles Galaxy no matter the circumstance.

Toss the records by the wayside and the match is good enough to stand on its own, seems to be the consensus regarding the SuperClasico series.

But what happens when you do the opposite and factor in the standings? In the second edition of the 2008 SuperClasico series and the 14th all-time league meeting, that added plus might add an unprecedented element to what is already one of the league's best rivalries.

For the first time in the SuperClasico series, both Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy will enter a game against each other with first place on the line. Both teams are in first place atop the Western Conference table and the winner would distance themselves from the loser as well as the rest of Western teams.

"If you can't get up for these games, something is wrong," Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. "Whenever we step on the field against Galaxy, it's going to be a hard-fought game. It's going to be a battle. There's no surprise."

Entering Thursday's match, Chivas USA seems to be in a better position than the Galaxy. Chivas USA is unbeaten in three games and is 5-2-1 in the last eight games overall as the Red-and-White has climbed up the standings and surpassed several teams to get to the top of the table.

The Galaxy, meanwhile, have lost their grip atop the table having lost two consecutive matches and enters the match with a three-game winless streak.

Still, it would unwise for Chivas USA to let that lead to overconfidence, players said.

"We've gotten some good points in our last eight games and obviously in the past few games they haven't. But that doesn't really matter," Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan said. "When you come into this game, it's a Clasico. It's a derby. You see it all over the world -- when you share a stadium, you share a city, there's a lot of passion no matter what. Even if it's the last game of the season and it doesn't even matter in the standings, it's still a fight for Los Angeles."

As every Clasico match, this latest one has a "big game" feel to it, players said. Practices have been sharper and more intense while the anticipation for the game has built up with every passing moment.

About the only thing players can expect is that something unexpected will likely happen.

"You can't afford in big games to be lazy, to make bad mistakes. You've still got to be cautious but confident," Chivas USA midfielder Jesse Marsch said. "And so that's why I think in a lot of these games it's tight and its emotional and there have been many instances throughout the series where something happens that normally wouldn't happen in many other games. It takes on a whole different aspect than any other game throughout the year."

This Clasico will likely feature a player who is new to the rivalry. Carey Talley has been a fixture in Chivas USA's lineup since shortly after arriving from Real Salt Lake in early May. Talley has played seven consecutive games for his newest club.

Even before he joined Chivas USA, Talley said the possibility of competing in a Clasico was enticing.

"Watching on TV, I was always saying to myself 'Man, I'd love to play in one of those games," Talley said. "Now, with the opportunity to play in it, especially with what's at stake being who can take over sole possession of first place, I'm looking forward to it."

With all that's already at stake, another part of the significance this match carries is the possible fallout. Chivas USA will take a break from league play after the Galaxy match and will focus on SuperLiga. On Sunday, Chivas USA will host Mexican side Pachuca in their SuperLiga opener and won't play another league match until Aug. 2 at Chicago.

Going out with a bang is the only way players said would work.

"We want to put ourselves in a good position before SuperLiga starts," Kljestan said. "Hopefully I'm going to the Olympics so it might be my last game for a little while as well. It's pretty important in many ways for our team to hopefully try and get three points and hopefully set ourselves on top of the standings while we go into a league break. It's always important to be on top when you come back into the league again."