Razov, Guzan lead Clasico effort
Striker, goalkeeper in middle of fray vs. Galaxy
The veteran striker has been responsible for much of the damage Chivas USA has inflicted on the club's co-tenants while the young goalkeeper has mostly taken his lumps and reveled in a pair of triumphs over the last three seasons.
As the second SuperClasico of 2008 approaches, both players said they welcomed the challenge the Galaxy presents.
"It's good especially the last couple (of 2007) we've been able to get the better of them and get some results," Guzan said. "Now it's a true rivalry."
Chivas USA and the Galaxy have met 13 times in regular season play and while the Red-and-White have won just three of the matches, the club finished off last season's SuperClasico series with a pair of 3-0 wins in August and September.
It's a contrast from 2005 when the Galaxy won all four regular season matchups as well as a U.S. Open Cup match to boot against the then-expansion side.
"The first year I think we'd all agree that gong out there it wasn't much of a competitive game," said Guzan, who was in goal for four of those games. "We kind of laid over for them and let them do whatever they wanted. The last few games we've taken it to them ... and that's what it's about."
But the 2008 edition brought back bad memories of the Clasico's first year as the Galaxy scored five goals -- including three unanswered to close out the match -- as a pair of Chivas USA comebacks were wasted in the Galaxy's 5-2 win.
On Thursday, the game will be on a national stage as it will be broadcast on ESPN2. The atmosphere should be energized and electric, players said, as each side tries to show well for their respective supporters and organization. It's the big-game atmosphere that seemingly brings out the best in Razov. Midfielder Jesse Marsch has called Razov one of the best big-game players in MLS history.
Certainly, Razov has lived up the billing in terms of the SuperClasico. Razov has scored the most goals on either side of the Clasico with five, including a lethal volley to punctuate the Red-and-White's first-ever win against the Galaxy in a 2-1 win in June 2006. He also accounted for one of the goals in the earlier loss this year.
Razov has also scored the Fire's most-ever goals against the Galaxy, as he bagged five goals during his time with Chicago.
"It just so happens to have gone that way," said Razov, who began his MLS career with the Galaxy. "There are probably other teams that I've scored more goals against. It's just been the timeliness of the goals. There is no real special occasion. It's a big game for us, a derby game. There are more emotions in an atmosphere like that."
Perhaps as a result of his success against Los Angeles, Razov typically draws Galaxy supporters' ire as the Los Angeles native is constantly the subject of taunts and boos from the stands.
"I get that everywhere I go," Razov said.
When asked his feelings about the jeers, Razov said rival fans are probably fearful of him.
"That comes from fear. They must fear something I do to them. They don't boo bad players usually. They boo guys who they fear might do damage to their team," Razov said. "I take it as a complement."
For Guzan, the jeers from Galaxy fans come steadily as he is within close proximity of the stands for most of the match.
"It's part of the game, part of the environment, part of the atmosphere that comes with it, especially being a goalkeeper," Guzan said. "You are standing in front of them for 45 minutes. They are going to give you some grief or what not. It's all part of the game."
Jeers aren't exactly something Guzan thinks about during the match, though.
"You don't take it personally. You get on with it. You concentrate on the game," Guzan said. "If you worry about that stuff, you're in big trouble."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
