As always, the Super Clasico brings forth quite a bit of emotions from players on both sides. The games themselves are heated and intense but after the match is when the emotions can sometimes spill over.
Chivas' locker room after April's 5-2 loss was very quiet. It was quiet there a lot during April and early May but that match was particularly quiet. Not much to say.
And not much at all like the Galaxy's. Tom Cruise was there to celebrate the victory with his good buddy David Beckham. Landon Donovan was on a hot streak and Alan Gordon - yes, that Alan Gordon - scored two goals off the bench to punctuate the rout.
But it was what happened during the game and what was said afterward that could bring a different sort of element to this latest edition of the Super Clasico.
What happened? Landon Donovan celebrated in front of Chivas USA's bench. Whether he meant it as disrespect or not is pretty much moot. Even though many Chivas USA players didn't think it was a big deal, Preki did. And he took offense. And he had things to say about it after the match.
What was said? Preki called the celebration "crap" and said it showed "a lot of disrespect." Listen for yourself.
Shortly afterward, Landon was asked about the incident and how Preki had called it "crap." Among other things, Landon said Preki was "not a big enough man" to accept his apology. Here's what he said in his own words.
I took the opportunity on Tuesday to talk to Preki as well as several Chivas USA players about it and also asked Alexi Lalas about it. There were, of course, some interesting comments made from both sides. It's the topic of my Press-Enterprise feature for Thursday, so I'll save the exact quotes for then. But keep an eye out for the story (I'll try to post a link as early as I can on Thursday) as well as some of the audio.
13 comments:
This really is turning into a superb derby.
Landon Donovan runs his mouth a lot for a guy who flames out everywhere other than MLS.
"Everywhere" meaning one place?
where the game counts the most: europe.
That all depends on who is counting.
To anonymous: is that you, Preki? Because Preki is the one running his mouth off, not LD.
Luis, I just got through reading your article and it was very good. Preki is still a whining baby. Even Jesse Marsche can't understand why Preki is making a big deal about it, but he's backing his coach for obvious reasons.
I just hope Landon reads the article and it unleashes the "angry Landon" again.
I made the trip from Florida to the last superclassico, and I don't understand why so much was made of LD's celebration, when Sascha K celebrated his goals by running to the Galaxy supporters and not the the Chivas supporters. I'm not saying a big deal should be made about that either, but at least talk about both sides of the story.
Celebrating in front of the opposing fans is one thing. Celebrating in front of the opposing team is another.
The team? Or the team's bench? All celebrations are in front of the opposing team players who are actually on the field. Why in particular is the other team's bench forbidden as a celebration area? I'm curious.
It's professional sports, not AYSO. If Preki can't handle it, then maybe he needs to find another line of work. Bottom line: the ONLY reason Preki got upset is because his team was getting their butts kicked.
And I hope they get their butts kicked again tonight.
So if Sacha did his Karate Kid celebration in front of the Galaxy's bench, that'd be cool?
If Sach is as fearless as he's always seemed to be, I'll bet that's already in his plans if he scores. I mean, he's already celebrated with the Karate Kid in front of Galaxy supporters - why not vary it up?
Especially, if, )as was apparently the case with Landon's celebration in the first place) , Sach's family and friends (including his dad, to whom the KK celebration is dedicated) happen to be in a suite behind the Galaxy bench.
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