Chivas usa set for fiery friendly 

Chivas usa set for fiery friendly

Wine Making
MLS team ready to face Club America, the chief rival of its Mexican counterpart.

Juan Francisco Palencia smiled while taking pictures of the trophy that will be awarded to the winner of today's "InterClasico" match between Chivas USA and Club America at Home Depot Center.

When asked if the winner should drink champagne out of the cup, the forward suggested Chivas would fill it with red wine.

Of course, that remark was a direct reference to the color red, which Palencia hopes will fill the stadium. It's just as likely that the blue and yellow of Club America will be there in the stands. Even on Friday, 10 fans of Club America waited outside the team's hotel in Torrance hoping to catch a glimpse or an autograph of the players.

Club America is one of the most popular teams in Mexico and is also the biggest rival of CD Guadalajara, the original Chivas soccer club. Both teams think this match means a little more than the average MLS-Mexican League friendly because of those rivalry ties in Mexico.

"Club America playing Chivas, whether it's in Mexico or in the United States, whether it is a friendly or whatever, it is an important game," Club America coach Luis Fernando Tena said at a press conference on Friday.

Palencia said he's looking forward to playing against an old rival from his time with Cruz Azul and Guadalajara. Club America midfielder German Villa said respect for American soccer has grown leaps and bounds in the past few years.

"The elimination of Mexico against the United States in 2002 World Cup was clear proof that soccer has grown in Major League Soccer and in the United States in general," Villa said. "It's given us an opportunity to come and (find) competition here in the United States."

Club America had long been rumored to start its own MLS franchise in Houston and while it hasn't happened yet, Tena is inclined to believe it will happen.

"It won't take very long for Club America to come play here in the United States, to do something similar to what Chivas USA is doing here," Tena said. "We have got as much of a market here as they do and (a team like this) would also give a lot of importance to MLS. I don't think a lot of time will pass before Club America has a team here in this league."