For the second time in two weeks, Chivas USA walked away from The Home Depot Center with a 3-0 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Thursday's win might go down as one of the biggest in club history.
"It's massive for the club, massive for the fans. We've been taking a beating from those guys for a couple of years and eventually it was going to turn," Ante Razov said. "It can't go on forever. We showed that right now we're the better team in Los Angeles. We're happy with that and we're proud of that."
Razov scored his ninth goal of the season in the first half and Francisco Mendoza and Laurent Merlin scored in the final three minutes to give Chivas USA the final margin.
Everything is seemingly falling into place for Chivas USA. With the win, the club moved past Houston and atop the Western Conference table. To have that come against the Galaxy makes the events more significant.
"It means a lot for more than one reason," Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. "Obviously first place; right now we've got the points and we've got a couple of games in hand too so that's always good. The whole rivalry thing, the last two games 6-0 -- words can't describe the feelings in the locker room."
The Galaxy entered the game with a 7-2-2 edge in previous league meetings between the clubs. However, this season the teams had a win and a draw apiece. Thursday's win also helped Chivas USA reach one of their goals, which was to win the series against the Galaxy.
"It's a big thing for us because we win the Clasico for the first time. We move into first place this late in the season for the first time," Kljestan said. "It's a good feeling. We can say that in 2007 we're L.A.'s team. That's a big thing for us."
Chivas USA started off a bit sluggish, as passes weren't as crisp as they have been and players were making runs that led to nowhere. Chivas USA coach Preki said the Galaxy made it difficult for his side at the start.
"Obviously it's a tough game, a tough opponent. We knew from the first moment that it was not going to be easy," Preki said. "I feel the Galaxy is a quality side and had their moments and somehow we dealt with all those moments."
Still, though, he also said his side had the better of play.
"In all honesty, we created five more chances and we were more dangerous," Preki said. "We withstood the pressure they put on us, caught them on a break in the end a couple of times and finished the game off."
Razov started the scoring in the 23rd minute. Lawson Vaughn played a long ball from the back to Razov's feet. With Galaxy defender Abel Xavier dogging him, Razov carried the ball into the box and ripped a shot from close range past Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon and into the back of the net.
"He reached in with his right and I was able to drag him to my right and catch him off-step," Razov said. "I knew Cannon would come and it was one of those shots you just aim at the far post. He got a little piece of it and it went in."
The goal helped open the game up.
"When we have a lead, it's usually good for us," Razov said. "It opens up spaces wide and in behind them and we can exploit that pretty well."
However, Chivas USA could not capitalize on their chances. In the 55th minute, Chivas USA had a pair of chances in front of the goal. Maykel Galindo slammed a shot off the crossbar and the rebound caromed off into a group of players. Vaughn found the ball at his feet and had an open net in front of him but pushed his shot wide.
Yet with the club ineffective in front of the goal Chivas USA's defense stood firm. The Galaxy posed a constant threat in the second half, something Guzan said he was aware of.
"They're a dangerous team. Their points don't show how capable they are of creating chances and scoring goals," he said. "Being able to kind of contain that -- yeah, they get chances, but you know maybe getting an arm on them or making sure they're a little off balance. Those are little things that don't go on the stat sheet but make a big difference."
The stellar defensive play kept Chivas ahead and with a pair of late counterattacks Chivas put the exclamation mark on the match. Mendoza took a pass from Sacha Klejstan and buried a shot past Cannon in the 88th minute.
"I'm happy for the three points which is the most important thing," Mendoza said. "I'm also happy that I was able to get another opportunity to score. Also, I'm content with the way this team continues to develop. We keep improving and keep gaining points so now we just have to retain our lead."
Merlin then put the final touches on the rout with his stoppage-time strike. Merlin, who came to Los Angeles to try out for the Galaxy in February, scored his first MLS goal when he knocked in a shot off the post after claiming a poor clearance in the penalty area.
"My personal goal was to play as much as I could," Merlin said. "Chivas is a very good team with a great atmosphere and my goal is to get all the way to playoffs and we're proving right now that we're the best team in Major League Soccer."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
