Sports And Recreation In Los Angeles, CA - By: Matthew Paolini

The sports and recreation market of Los Angeles, CA touts many sports teams. Currently the leagues represented include the NBA, with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers; the WNBA, with the Los Angeles Sparks; and the MSL, with the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA.

Major League Baseball has the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, with the National Hockey League promoting the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks. The American Football League has the Los Angeles Avengers and Major League Lacrosse has the Los Angeles Riptide. In the growing Hispanic community, there is lots of 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 teams.

The Staples Center is the venue for the Clippers, Lakers, Sparks and the Avengers in their home games. 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 looking for a new stadium to attract professional football to come back.

In other leagues, the Los Angeles Wolves were once a part of the United Soccer Association, which started its inaugural season in 1967. The Los Angeles Toros of the National Professional Soccer League also began in 1967. Both leagues merged to form the North American Soccer League, 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 National American Soccer League returned a team to Los Angeles by starting the Los Angeles Aztecs in 1974. Unfortunately, the Aztecs folded in 1981.

About the Author

Matt Paolini is a sports editor for CityBook, the family-safe Online Yellow Pages, which carries an extensive directory on Los Angeles outdoor sports and recreation.

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