Chivas USA could not overcome its defensive issues as the Los Angeles Galaxy beat the Red-and-White by 5-2 in the first SuperClasico of the 2008 MLS campaign at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night.
Chivas USA entered the game with eight goals allowed in four games played, including a pair in a 2-0 loss to FC Dallas a week ago. The club, though, had to solve their defensive issues facing one of the league's most potent attacks. Landon Donovan entered the game with a league-high five goals and added his sixth, seventh and eighth goals of the MLS campaign, while second-half substitute Alan Gordon added two more.
Sacha Kljestan and Ante Razov scored on either side of halftime for the Red-and-White, who fell to 1-3-1 on the season. With the loss, Chivas USA fell to 3-8-2 against their in-stadium rivals.
Early on, Chivas USA players were the victims of some rough challenges by Galaxy defenders as the rivalry took on its usual heated nature. Brandon McDonald was booked in the sixth minute after he flattened Francisco Mendoza. Minutes earlier, McDonald had a similar rough challenge on Paulo Nagamura but did not see yellow for it.
Donovan was booked in the eighth minute for handling a ball outside the penalty area. After a quick pass over the top of the Galaxy defense, Donovan handled the ball just before Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan grabbed it, then racing around the 'keeper and tucking it into the empty net. There was no "hand of God" again; Donovan also saw yellow.
The "hosts" took the lead in the 18th minute after a fortuitous bounce to Donovan. After a set piece was half-cleared out of the area by Chivas USA defenders, the ball bounced to Donovan's feet and the U.S. international ripped a 22-yard shot into the back of the net.
The goal ensured that Chivas USA would not record a clean sheet for the fifth time in as many games this season. Still, the defense had been mostly tidy up until the goal.
Guzan made a stellar save in the 35th minute on a quick Galaxy counterattack. Donovan split the defense and slipped a ball to the left side of the penalty area. Mike Randolph sent a shot on goal but Guzan dived and parried the ball away.
Kljestan pulled Chivas USA even with a tremendous goal in the 38th minute. He ran at Galaxy defender Abel Xavier at the top left corner of the penalty area. Kljestan caught Xavier out of position, cut inside at the top of the area and curled a splendid shot into the corner of the net.
It was Kljestan's first goal against the Galaxy. In seven previous matches, Kljestan had no goals but led Chivas USA with five assists against L.A.
The Galaxy picked up another yellow card for another rough challenge. Joe Franchino was booked after he took down Maykel Galindo in the center of the field as Galindo attempted to carry the ball into the Galaxy's third.
Mendoza nearly struck in the opening moments of the second half. Mendoza ripped a shot that beat Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin but the ball caromed off the right post.
Galindo went down in the 52nd minute after fighting for a loose ball against Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin. Galindo laid on the field for several moments and limped off favoring his groin. The Cuban striker has battled groin issues from the start of the preseason.
Though he eventually came on to the field, trainers immediately called for Razov who threw on his jersey and prepared to enter the match.
It was the Galaxy, though, who struck first. Again Donovan was the beneficiary of a fortunate bounce. Claudio Suarez failed to clear a ball outside of the penalty area. The ball bounced to Donovan's feet and the Galaxy forward slipped the shot into the back of the net from 10 yards out.
Again Chivas responded. Justin Braun helped set up the goal. He carried the ball down the right side of the box. With Cronin off his line, Braun sent a ball to the front of the goal. Razov latched onto it and nearly tore a hole in the back of the net as he scored his first goal of the season.
However, Chivas USA's run would end there as the Galaxy scored the next three goals of the match. In the 76th minute, Donovan crossed the ball into the area. Lawson Vaughn misplayed his clearance attempt, lofting the ball straight into the air. Gordon outjumped Guzan to the ball, looping his header home for the go-ahead goal.
A minute later the Galaxy doubled their advantage. Gordon brought down a long ball out of midfield, held off a defender, then fed Donovan at the top of the area. Donovan finished off his hat trick with a low shot past Guzan for his eighth goal of the season.
The Galaxy weren't yet done, adding another in the 84th minute. Donovan came racing up the center of the park, feeding David Beckham wide on the right. Beckman played the ball back to Donovan at the top of the area and he shot toward the back post where Gordon ran onto the ball, tucking home a shot from close range.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
