Facing their in-stadium arch-rival, and needing to win to keep alive any hope of reaching the postseason, the Los Angeles Galaxy didn't need much motivation for Saturday's final Honda Super Clasico of the season.
But the Galaxy still put together a complete game on both side of the ball -- for the first time in quite a while -- and came away with a dominant 3-0 victory against Chivas USA.
"It really was a complete game. It's not very often that we put those together," said goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who made three saves on the night. "A game like tonight helps you remember why you play soccer. It's been very hard lately. We've been playing under intense pressure for some time now."
With the victory and Saturday's other results around MLS, the Galaxy managed to cut the gap between them and a playoff spot in half. With Colorado's loss to New England, the Rapids now hold a three-point lead in front the Galaxy for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
In addition, the Galaxy claimed the season series against Chivas with their second victory in the four games, with one draw.
With the enormous pressure on them to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, the Galaxy looked to be a different team offensively on Saturday. Los Angeles was much more dynamic going forward, attacking from all areas of the field. The Galaxy also dominated the midfield battle, which in turn led to several of the Galaxy's best scoring chances.
"We could have scored a couple more -- against a side that doesn't give up many goals, or lose many games," said head coach Frank Yallop. "That was encouraging. We are capable of playing like that pretty regularly, but we haven't done that. Tonight was a good night for our guys to go and really express themselves."
Galaxy center back Tyrone Marshall echoed his coach's sentiments.
"We went out there and said 'let's win the battles at every position -- defense, midfield, and forward,'" said Marshall. "I thought we did the job tonight. We got the shutout. (Chivas) had some good possession but at the same time they weren't going anywhere."
Needing to win against their chief rivals added just that little bit of additional motivation. Even if the Galaxy make the playoffs, they know the season has been subpar by club standards. Still, keeping a trophy now named after their former president and general manager, Doug Hamilton, was all the incentive they needed heading into the game.
"You don't need a ton of motivation to play Chivas," said Alan Gordon, who scored the Galaxy's third goal. "We were playing for the best team in L.A. It's a rivalry and we want to keep it going.
"(Galaxy general manager) Alexi (Lalas) talked to us before the game and said Paige (Hamilton, Doug's wife) was going to give out the trophy -- it would be really nice if she gave it to us."
Gordon's rivalry with Chivas runs a bit deeper too. His roommate is Chivas USA 'keeper Brad Guzan. Gordon seemed snakebitten a bit early as Guzan denied him twice on headers. Gordon eventually got on the score sheet to win the household rivalry as well.
"That's a roommate rivalry. We've been talking all week about it," said Gordon. "He made a couple of saves, I got a goal. We both did well, but in the end, I guess I win."
Moving forward the Galaxy can build on Saturday's win. There has been little positive to focus on the last several weeks, but the result kept alive the hope that anything is possible.
"There's points available, and we've got to do what we've got to do. The guys were real upbeat and positive about tonight's performance," said Yallop. "As they proved, this club last year, things can happen going into the last game."
Winning wasn't enough for the Galaxy's playoff hopes Saturday. Los Angeles is hoping that winning in convincing fashion will help carry them through the final two games of the season, both of which are against conference-leading FC Dallas.
"That's a big confidence booster for the guys, the morale and everything. It showed that we can play," said Marshall. "We got the goals tonight. I think that was the only thing we were missing in Chicago. We dominated the game. We're just going to use that going forward."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
