L.A. Galaxy stars like David Beckham are not the only reason that things overheat during the California Derby also known as the California Clasico, Galaxy may have a legendary soccer player on their team, but the San Jose Earthquakes are also a force to be reckoned with. While the U.S. is just beginning to grasp the true power behind Major League Soccer, the sparks that fly between these two teams has a substantial history and is an event that draws in regular bettors and casual fans.
Professional Soccer in America
The original MLS surge in the mid-1990s worked, and the U.S. was the host of the 1999 FIFA event. As it turns out, the two teams that comprise the California Derby were the first to join this new chapter in American soccer history.
Why is it called the California Derby?
In America, we are familiar with events like the Kentucky Derby or the California Derby horse race. However, this term is also used for major soccer events. In particular, it comes from the place that soccer was first played – England. In English usage, a ‘derby’ is an event between neighboring rivals. For this reason, any MLS team that is close to another one is going to engage in a derby at least once a year. In this case, the California Derby or California Clasico is joined by other MLS combos like the Texas Derby and the Canadian Derby.
1995 California Derby kickoff
For almost two decades, pro soccer in California has existed due to a push by the MLS. Both founded in 1995, the teams that comprise the California Clasico went to battle almost immediately. On April 26, 1996, the two teams faced off for the first time at the Rose Bowl. Throughout the years, they have had their share of games with 21 wins for Galaxy, 16 for the Earthquakes, and 13 outcomes tied. There was a ceasefire starting in 2005 and the rivalry picked up again in 2008. This interruption was due to management issues with the San Jose Earthquakes that caused the team to disband.
Over time, the enthusiasm of fans for the California Derby have waxed and waned. Interestingly, the heat has picked up since the summer of 2012. During the June 30 game, David Beckham was awarded one match ban by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for involvement with “scuffles.”
California Derby mascots and supporters
Since the L.A. Galaxy is about outer space, the names, themes, mascots, and supporters all follow suit. Galaxy supporters are the Galaxians, the Angel City Brigade, and the L.A. Riot Squad. The first mascot used by the team was a space alien Twizzle. He was replaced in 2003 by the blue frog-looking alien named Cozmo.
The San Jose Earthquakes are lucky to have a one-man supporter club called Krazy George Henderson (as if from the television show about sasquatches called ‘Harry and the Hendersons’). Their other support groups are the Casban, Club Quake, and the 1906 Ultras. Krazy George, inventor of “The Wave,” has been with the Quakes since the original NASL incarnation in 1975. Mascots of the Earthquakes have been Jose Clash (1995-1999), Rikter the CyberDog (2000-2002), and Q (2008).
California Derby thorn in the side
When it comes to tension between the two sides of the California Clasico, David Beckham is not usually part of the issue. Instead, the San Jose Earthquakes are behind in one key way – awards. The finest honors associated with the MLS are the Champions’ Cup, U.S. Open Cup, Western Conference, Supporters’ Shield, and MLS Cup. While the L.A. Galaxy has won each of them at least once for a total of 17 titles, the Earthquakes only have four trophies in the display cabinet. They may have won the MLS Cup twice (Galaxy won it three times), but they have yet to take the crown for the Champions’ Cup or the U.S. Open Cup.
California Derby stadium history
One of the amazing things about the California Clasico rivalry is that it has taken place at a variety of stadiums over the years. Unfortunately, the Earthquakes have needed a change of address form from the post office far too often. For the L.A. Galaxy team, the story is different. In 1996, they began practicing at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena until the Home Depot Center was built in 2003. In 2014, a new stadium is planned for the Earthquakes in San Jose – a first in their history. For now, they are still at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara.
A third California Derby rival?
For the L.A. Galaxy, finding a second rival is as easy as looking in their own stadium. Sharing the Home Depot Center is fellow MLS team the Club Deportivo Chivas. Added in 2004, this is a team specifically associated with Guadalajara, Mexico. The meaning of ‘Chivas’ is goats and this team have three specific fan bases. Current supporters are Legion 1908, Union Ultras, and Black Army 1850. For outsiders, it is necessary to know that 1850 is the year that L.A. and California officially were recognized as part of the U.S.A.
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