A quick look at the scoreline after Thursday's final Super Clasico of the regular season would probably lead to the wrong conclusion. The 3-0 score favoring Chivas USA would likely indicate the Red-and-White dominated the contest, but that wouldn't necessarily be the case.
Two of the three Chivas goals came after the 88th minute, and the Galaxy actually outplayed Chivas through the first 45 minutes. Forced to press forward in search of an equalizing goal, the Galaxy defense was left exposed to the Chivas counterattack -- and they capitalized.
"The game opened up a bit once we start pressing and they get the break, but they were effective when they did break," said Chris Klein. "We had a couple of chances to early to get in the game, but that's just kind of the way it's been going for us."
It was another night when the Galaxy's effort couldn't be called into question. There's no doubt that the Galaxy again left everything on the field, but once again it just wasn't enough to get a result.
"The performance of the team was good I thought. I think from start to finish we created some good chances," said Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop. "Not to take the goals out of it -- you can never do that -- but all around from the play I thought it was a very even game to be honest. I think the score flatters them, but a 3-0 loss is a 3-0 loss."
The Galaxy played a pretty solid match overall, but were burned on defensive errors and turnovers in the midfield. However, it's been a common theme throughout the year.
"I thought we played well for the most part, but we're still naïve in certain parts of the field," said Landon Donovan. "I think Chivas has done that all year. They wait for you to make that mistake and then they make you pay. I thought we played well overall, but we still have a lot to learn."
The loss also meant that Chivas USA claimed the Super Clasico season series, the first time in the short history of the derby that the title of best team in Los Angeles has been wrestled away from the Galaxy. It's something that left a bit of a bitter taste in the mouths of the Galaxy players.
"I'm just incredibly disappointed. Anytime we face Chivas where we don't walk away with three points is a disappointment," said Kyle Martino. "To feel like we had a lot of the run of the play and not capitalize on chances where we could have put some pressure on them adds to that disappointment."
There was no taking away from the Chivas effort, though. Even the Galaxy had to tip their hats to their in-stadium rivals after the game.
"If you add all things together, and even if you just take it as a game against Chivas and the Super Clasico, it's very disappointing," said Klein. "At the same time you give them credit. They're a very good team and they're playing well right now."
The loss wasn't damaging only from a rivalry standpoint, but it was also a major setback in the Galaxy's attempt at a late season push towards the playoffs. The postseason is quickly starting to look like an unrealistic goal, but Yallop said there is no quit in his side.
"We needed to get three points tonight, obviously. It's been a long year to be honest," said Yallop. "It's been like this from the start if you like. We're going to keep going until we're out of it.
The Galaxy will have to try and dig deep and find some fight in them for Sunday when they play host to Houston Dynamo, who fell into second place in the West behind Chivas USA after Thursday's result. The Galaxy have two games a week for the rest of the season, with little rest and little time to train and work on the tactical things that have been letting them down. But effort is one thing that has been a constant for the Galaxy.
"I feel the way the team's played and displayed the last four games you can at least have some encouragement that we have a chance," Yallop said. "Tonight at least we kept on them and nearly got back into the game. Yes we got punished, but at least we showed some fighting spirit."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
