Sports And Recreation In Los Angeles, CA

By Matthew Paolini

The sports and recreation marketplace found in Los Angeles, CA boasts of many sports teams. Currently the leagues represented include the National Basketball Association, with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers; the Women's National Basketball Association, with the Los Angeles Sparks; and the Major League Soccer, with the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA.

MLB has the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, with the NHL promoting the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks. The American Football League has the Los Angeles Avengers and MLL has the Los Angeles Riptide. In the growing Hispanic community, there is great fan interest in Mexican soccer teams. Of these, the most widely admired are 'Chivas' and 'America,' who have developed a bitter team rivalry.

In the national collegiate ranks, the two most widely admired sports teams in Los Angeles are the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins, of which both have successful football programs.

The Staples Center hosts the Clippers, Lakers, Sparks and the Avengers in their home contests. The Home Depot Center is the venue where the Galaxy, Chivas USA and the Riptide play. The Dodgers host their games at Dodger Stadium, while the Angels of Anaheim play at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Lastly, the Anaheim Ducks host games at the Honda Center, previously known as the Arrowhead Pond Of Anaheim.

The NFL at one time had a strong presence with both the Rams and Raiders LA. The American Football League formerly had a presence with the San Diego Chargers, now part of the National Football League. Los Angeles is currently seeking a new stadium to entice professional football to come back.

In other leagues, the Los Angeles Wolves were once a part of the United Soccer Association, which started its first season in 1967. The Los Angeles Toros of the National Professional Soccer League also began in 1967. Both leagues merged to form the NSL, after which the Wolves remained in Los Angeles and in 1968 the Toros relocated to became the San Diego Toros in 1968. However, when the first season ended, both teams folded. Later, the NASL returned a team to LA by starting the Los Angeles Aztecs in 1974. Unfortunately, the Aztecs folded in 1981.