CARSON, Calif. - When they last played at The Home Depot Center, Chivas USA players pointed to a lack of focus and intensity as their downfall as the club fell 3-1 to the Los Angeles Galaxy on April 28.
After Sunday's match, the focus and intensity improved, players and coaches said, but the result nonetheless fell short of what they had hoped for.
Chivas USA and the Galaxy tied 1-1 on Sunday as the Red-and-White gained just their second draw in the series history with the Galaxy.
"Tonight was a step in the right direction. In a big game, we came out a bit more focused and our mentality was good. I feel like we're making strides in the right direction," Chivas USA midfielder Jesse Marsch said. "I'm certainly not close to satisfied with what we're all about but we hope with performances like tonight and games like tonight we can get a little bit closer."
The result was somewhat positive. The club gained one point, as well as some respect from Galaxy players. But overall, Chivas USA players felt that they let two points slip away.
Chivas generated some offense - they had 10 shots and four shots on goal. But the finishing let the team down.
"It seemed that the team got tired in the second half and maybe that was it and we let three important points go away," Chivas midfielder Francisco Mendoza said. "We were superior but couldn't finish and that bothers me. But give them credit. They have a good team and do things well."
In the last Super Clasico, the Galaxy took advantage of a pair of early Chivas miscues and held a 2-0 lead after 17 minutes. Sunday, Chivas gave away another early opportunity as Donovan broke in alone on Brad Guzan. This time, though, the Chivas goalkeeper stood firm.
Well off his line, Guzan took away Donovan's angle and made the save as Donovan ripped a 15-yard shot. The ball caromed off Donovan and out of bounds.
"It's no secret what they are going to try and do, and that's expose our speed and utilize their speed," Guzan said. "He gets a good chance and I just tried to stay calm and composed and it worked out."
As the game went on, Chivas found their rhythm and began to take control of the match. In the 35th minute, their efforts paid off. Ante Razov sent a ball over the Galaxy backline onto Galindo's path. Galindo evaded Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon and slipped a shot into an empty net.
For Galindo, the goal was his team-high fourth of the season. He also became the fourth Chivas player to score against the Galaxy in a regular-season game.
"I was looking for the right moment because I could beat them with my speed," Galindo said. "Thankfully I got that opportunity and was able to get past the goalkeeper and finish."
But the lead lasted just a quarter hour. Chivas center back Claudio Suarez tried to clear a cross out of the penalty area in the 50th minute but instead the ball landed at Donovan's feet. Donovan did well to find a seam in the mass of bodies inside the area and scored his second goal of the season.
"Obviously they have an international star like Landon who can hit you at any time," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "When you least expect to concede a goal, we conceded a goal. Claudio goes up for a header and if that ball goes anywhere else, it's not a goal."
Chivas had one stellar chance later in the match. Mendoza sent a cross in to the front of the goal and Razov found himself unmarked in front of Cannon. Razov, though, failed to put the ball on frame and pushed it high over the crossbar.
In stoppage time it appeared that, for a split-second anyway, the Galaxy would break Chivas' hearts in stoppage time. Galaxy midfielder Santino Quaranta sent a cross from the right flank to the left side of the penalty area to Kyle Martino, who then centered the ball to Donovan. From six yards out, Donovan put a shot on goal. As Guzan dived to Donovan's right, the Galaxy forward put the ball to his left but El Guzano did well to kick the ball away.
"I don't even know how they got the ball on our left side. It was a cross over to Kyle and he laid off a good ball. I just kind of turned and tried to make myself as big as possible. Luckily I got a foot to it," Guzan said. "In a game like this, you have to be able to make big saves. The first one to keep the game 0-0 and at the end of the game to keep it 1-1. It's unfortunate we didn't get three points tonight but one point is better than zero."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
