Chicharito: 'I'll defend LA Galaxy to the death in El Trafico clash with Carlos Vela's LAFC'

With MLS rivalry week upon us, the anticipation for El Trafico is growing once again.

Though a young rivalry, LAFC vs LA Galaxy has already thrown up some of the most memorable games Major League Soccer has seen in recent years.

With Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini ready to take to the field for the Black and Gold, this week's edition has the potential to take the fixture to a whole new level.

And aside from the arrival of more European stars in Los Angeles, there's also the match-up between Mexican national team forwards Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez and Carlos Vela. The duo - who have 181 combined caps for El Tri to their names - have certainly been raising the stakes in the build-up to Friday's clash at Banc of California Stadium.

"The rivalry that Carlos (Vela) and I have on the pitch is going to be like that, I will defend the whites (of LA Galaxy) to the death and he will defend those in the black jersey to the death, but hopefully all of us whites will leave happier than them," Chicharito told reporters.

"This rivalry has been recent because he has had injuries and so have I, the first year we didn't face each other because of that and he is in all the right things, as he mentioned, 'Pepito', I can equally say be it Gareth, be it Carlitos, be it Giorgio, be it whoever, I am also going to give it all, we are going to give it all. It's a rivalry on the pitch."

For Vela's part, he doesn't hold any sentiment for Chicharito in this fixture. They have been brothers on the national team stage down the years but on Friday, the LA Galaxy striker is just another opponent that needs beating for Vela and LAFC, who currently sit top of the overall MLS standings.

"I go against everyone, everyone who has the Galaxy crest, I go against him," said Vela, adding: "I don't care if it's Zlatan, Chicharito, or Pepito. If he has the Galaxy logo, he's my rival and I want to beat him."