Thousands of soccer fans will take over Petco Park Tuesday, to watch Chivas USA take on Chivas de Guadalajara.
The yearly exhibition game, called the ChivaClasico, draws people from across Southern California and Mexico. This year organizers expect 20,000 - 25,000 people to converge on Petco Park.
For San Diego, this will be the first opportunity to see Patrick Henry High School alum Salvatore Zizzo play in his hometown. Zizzo graduated from Patrick Henry in 2005 and was All-CIF in soccer for three years, said Chivas USA's David Lindholm.
Last year the two teams met up at the Rose Bowl, where Chivas Guadalajara held Chivas USA to 2 - 0. Lindholm says it may be a friendly competition between to teams, but expect a great game.
"We think of them as one of the best teams in the world," Lindholm said. "We think we can play with them, but they are one of the best teams."
Chivas Guadalajara is one of Mexico's signature teams known across the world for their talent, Lindholm said. They are like the Red Sox and the Yankees or the Dallas Cowboys in their country, he added.
There is a little rivalry between both teams and a little bit of brotherhood. Neither team said, they want to crush the other, but both say they want to win.
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I think that in Mexico, we are the best team and Chivas USA is on its way to becoming the best team, said Chivas de Guadalajara coach Jose Luis Real through a translator.
Tickets for the exhibition game are still available by contacting the San Diego Padres box office. Ticket prices range from $18 - $100. The game starts at 8:00 p.m.
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