Galaxy set to meet Chivas in a Leagues Cup Showcase clash
The Galaxy will put their Major League Soccer season on hold for a night against famed Mexican club Chivas de Guadalajara.
The teams will open the Leagues Cup Showcase doubleheader today (5:30 p.m., ESPN) at SoFi Stadium.
The game carries some good and bad memories for Galaxy coach Greg Vanney and forward Chicharito Hernandez.
Hernandez joined the Chivas youth system in 1997 and made his first-team debut in 2006. He remained there until 2010 before moving to Manchester United.
“It’s very special to play my hometown team,” Hernandez said. “It’s been so long that I’ve been close to play against them, so it’s going to be great.
“I think there are a lot of people that are still working there, it’s going to be nice to be able to be together again and say hi to them and play against the best team in Mexico.”
This will be the first time the teams have met since 2007.
“It’s going to be very special and these type of dynamics, when Mexico and U.S. try to get the best of both leagues and try to improve the leagues, help each other, it’s always very positive,” Hernandez said.
The tournament was created in 2019, bringing together selected teams from Major League Soccer and Liga MX for a tournament.
“I like the tournament,” Vanney said. “For our players, for the growth of the league, growth of the sport in both countries, I think the competition between the teams is a great competition.
“I like the Champions League, so this is just an extension of the Champions League, like Europa League in Europe. Again, it congests the fixtures a little bit, but it also helps us to give our roster and guys more experience, more opportunities for players that you’re trying to bring along.”
Next season, the tournament will expand to include all 47 teams in both leagues. The tournament champion will earn automatic qualification for the CONCACAF Champions League, joining in the round of 16. The second- and third-place teams will qualify for the opening round.