Ah, yes, I loved that series, it was soooo sweet.
Michah, I also have been the following the Galaxy since ‘96 – ah, my high school days.

For some reason I don’t feel the hate that I feel for DC, as I do for the Sh!tvas. Maybe it is because our rivalry with them has subsided somewhat over time. In any case, I would love nothing more than to meet DC in the final and kick the crap out of them this season.

At least we avenged our ‘01 Cup loss to the Quakes by eliminating them on route to the Double in ‘05. Once the Quakes return, they will absolutely be just as fierce a rival (do not underestimate Bay Area vs. L.A. hatred). While the Dynamo is a relocated Quakes franchise, I don’t care about them now that they are in Texas.

Since we are lacking any other competition in California, Chivas will do for now. All derbies are passionate, and this one is no different, but Chivas USA doesn’t have enough history to call Galaxy-Chivas games “SuperClassicos”. If they actually start making some seriuos runs in the playoffs or the Open Cup, then they might become a true rival. But does anybody actually consider Man City one of Man U.’s rivals? A derby is one thing but Man U. is in another strata then the Citizens, playing in the Champions League and contending for the FA Cup and Premiership perennially. If Chivas wants to be a rival then they have to meet us in games that matter.

Beyond that, there are few other teams that I would term as rivals. As a fan, I expect our team to be competitive year in and year out, so whomever are in contention (espcially those from the Western Conference) could turn into rivalries with just a few ugly games in a short time.

Rats, I’m TRYING to focus on MLS and not whether creation of the Premiership has harkened the downfall of Western Civilization, or on the fascinatingly dramatic implosion of various rotting club organizations around the world.

But all that does relate to the MLS topic at hand. Maybe its not just the lack of birthright rivalries provided by a young league, but also the lack of messy and convoluted history, that limits the off-the-pitch fascination factor. Ah youth…but I’m sure all that will come in time!

David, no hard feelings. I’ve actually found the commentary kind of humorous and interesting. As I was saying to Tom on the Chicago Fire blog: I never should have said that Europeans do rivalries better, even in jest. Because, dammit, everybody knows that Americans hate best!!

And welcome to The Offside. It’s kind of a fun blogging fraternity.

Diane, I do agree with you about Chelsea. Except that two of my French guys play there, and Mourinho kind of fascinates me. But Abramovich is evil incarnate. (As a fellow recoving Eurosnob, you’ll appreciate this: I read a rumor that his estranged wife is considering buying Arsenal with her divorce settlement.)

Keep up the good work!!

And you are right, we will be the most hated team this year.

Oh, and thanks for the nip pics!!!!
I meant to respond to that post, but didn’t get around to it.

I see what you were saying. I just kind of found it funny (more of the context of what had been going on and where it was coming from) what you were talking about and as such, responded to it in my blog. I hope there is no bad blood, and in fact I have started a blog here on the offside for ChivasUSA…. http://chivas.theoffside.com/...

Actually, I was wondering if maybe you would like to do some type of co-op thing, being that you are a Galaxy blogger and me being a Chivas blogger. We could really do something interesting.

Sorry if you took it the wrong way in my post.

David.