especially here on Planet LA - a great New Year's present: the Honda Super Clasico is for real. And it is the gift that will now keep on giving for years to come.
In case you missed it, on Thursday night in front of a national television audience, Planet LA's second-class citizens were whupped once again by their ground-sharing bullies, Chivas USA.
And if you read this column last week, now you saw what I was talking about. The Goats not only own Tinseltown, they are ready to make a run at the big matzo ball (translation for my gentile readers: MLS Cup).
But Thursday night told the story of footie in Los Angeles during this 5767-68 season.
Sadly for the Galaxy, the final score was the same as the last time the Goats and Jesse Marsch (literally) kicked around David Beckham and the Galaxy.
Maybe the wall between the two locker rooms should now be known as the 3-0 Border?
Now to be fair, the game was closer than the score indicated. It was 1-0 Goats for much of the game, but even that first goal was tough to stomach for Galaxy fans, as it came off of Ante Razov's right foot, usually reserved for standing on.
The Galaxy had plenty of chances, most of them due to the tireless motor of Landon Donovan. Landon was buzzing all over the field and setting up chances for his teammates, none of whom ever looked capable of finishing what he started.
On this team in this year, Donovan perhaps will have to make and finish his own chances in a big match if this team is to compete. I know nothing on the inside, but I would bet a year's wages the team will find some reinforcements this offseason.
Although you have to agree with ESPN's Eric Wynalda, who said last night it is time to sit shiva (translation for my gentile readers: the ability to watch the playoffs on TV because you are not in them) for the Galaxy's season.
But with the Galaxy unable to capitalize, Chivas added two late goals to make the final score line ugly.
Los Goats made it 2-0 in the 88th minute when Francisco Mendoza scored and then ran to the sideline and the camera, turned around and pointed to his name across the back of the jersey.
Man, do I hate that. When you score a goal, kiss the team crest on the front of the jersey, don't point to your name on the back.
Eddie Johnson did that a while back and then went on an awful scoring drought. Those were the soccer gods talking.
Anyway, if you thought at times a guy off the street could score against the Galaxy defense ... well, he did. Chivas' last goal was from Laurent Merlin, who made the team from an open tryout.
The game at one point was delayed by smoke bombs thrown onto the field in front of Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon. Cannon responded by kicking a ball over the stands after a Chivas goal.
And if that didn't rub enough salt in the wounds, Chivas USA sent out a post-game press release with the headline "The Stars Align," which was the Galaxy's marketing slogan this year.
When you opened the e-mail, you saw "Chivas USA 3-0 LA Galaxy" -- with the words LA Galaxy turned upside down. Ouch.
Oh, and by the way, Chivas just hired a new front office chief -- the guy who used to run the show for AEG, owners of the Galaxy.
The fans don't seem to like each other. The teams don't seem to like each other. The front offices don't seem to like each other.
"I think it's obvious that L.A. is our town this year," Chivas midfielder Sacha Kljestan said after the win, which kept his team undefeated this year at the stadium built for the Galaxy.
Kids, we got us a good, old-fashioned rivalry.
Mazel Tov to us all.
During the season, The Clean Sheet runs each week on MLSnet. Views and opinions expressed in this column views and opinions are the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or MLSnet.com. Send any questions and comments to tcsresponses@yahoo.com
