CARSON, Calif. - Maykel Galindo struck twice in the first nine minutes and Ante Razov notched the 100th goal of his career as Chivas USA dropped Real Salt Lake 4-0 at the Home Depot Center on Saturday night.
Matt Taylor added a late goal to cap off RSL's forgettable evening.
The quick scores knocked the wind out of RSL and they were unable to recover as their all-time winless streak against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center was extended to five matches. RSL's season-opening winless streak also was extended to three matches though they lost for the first time in 2007.
Galindo put the home side up just 28 seconds after kickoff - the sixth-fastest goal in league history and first of his MLS career. Chivas USA defender Alex Zotinca slipped a pass through the RSL defense to an onrushing Galindo and the speedy Cuban was able to dribble around RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando at the edge of the penalty area and hit a low, left-footed shot into an empty net.
Galindo struck again in the ninth minute. This time Galindo dribbled past RSL defender Jack Stewart before rifling a shot past Rimando from just outside the six-yard box.
RSL had their first look at goal in the 13th minute as Jeff Cunningham hit a low shot that forced Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan into a diving save.
In the 35th minute, Freddy Adu tested Guzan again as his 35-yard free kick curled around the wall toward goal. Guzan, however, was up to the challenge and made a diving save on the shot.
Chivas USA took a commanding 3-0 lead two minutes from halftime. Galindo knocked the ball out to Francisco Mendoza on the left flank, and after he dribbled forward to the edge of the area he looped a cross across the face of the RSL goal to Razov, who leapt up to head the ball past Rimando.
The goal was Razov's 100th of his 12-year MLS career as he became the third player to cross the century mark, joining RSL's Jason Kreis (108) and D.C. United's Jaime Moreno (105).
The goal left RSL reeling as they entered the halftime break. After the intermission, Chivas USA maintained its offensive pressure and RSL was unable to find any type of rhythm of play. RSL coach John Ellinger changed his formation at the break, bringing Andy Williams on as a second striker alongside Cunningham while going to three in the back.
But it only led to Chivas opening gaps in Real's defense. Mendoza nearly added another goal on the hour mark when he found himself on a one-on-one breakaway with Rimando. Mendoza dribbled toward Rimando and tried to chip a shot over the 'keeper but his attempt was just wide left of the goal.
In the 75th minute, Amado Guevara took a hard shot on goal that Rimando was just able to deflect over the crossbar.
Then, a minute later Williams was tackled hard by Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan. Kljestan was shown a yellow card for the tackle, which left Williams writhing in pain and carted off on a stretcher with an apparent injury to his right leg. Williams was replaced by Atiba Harris.
Later, Rimando made an excellent save as he swatted away a 10-yard shot from Mendoza.
A minute from full time, however, Rimando was unable to stop Matt Taylor as the Chivas USA forward banged in a rebounding ball from seven yards out to round out the scoring. Taylor had first sent a deflected shot goalward with Rimando well off the line, but Eddie Pope was perfectly placed on the line to keep the ball out. But the rebound couldn't be cleared, and Taylor knocked back in.
Danny Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
