The Los Angeles Galaxy dominated their in-stadium rivals and kept alive their slim playoff hopes in the process, getting goals from Pete Vagenas, Landon Donovan and Alan Gordon in a 3-0 victory against Chivas USA on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.
The victory also means that L.A. will retain the Honda Super Clasico trophy and bragging rights in southern California for another year.
Fans filled The Home Depot Center, with boisterous support for both teams evident. But the energy in the stands didn't immediately translate onto the field.
It took the game nearly 30 minutes to open up, but when it did, it was all Los Angeles. The early portions of the first half saw Chivas USA content to defend, as without Ante Razov, Juan Francisco Palencia and Juan Pablo Garcia in the lineup, the Goats made few forays into the attacking third.
The first dangerous moments of the half fell in favor of the Galaxy in the 18th minute. Landon Donovan tracked down a long pass in the corner and crossed the ball into the area from the left side. The ball turned into more of a shot, troubling Chivas 'keeper Brad Guzan, who was forced to punch the ball over the bar for a corner kick.
Just a minute later, Santino Quaranta jumped on a loose ball in the midfield, and created a shot from nothing. Quaranta's low drive from distance forced a diving save from Guzan.
The only real anxious moment that Chivas was able to produce came in the 27th minute. Jesse Marsch drove a cross towards the near post from the right side of the field. Jonathan Bornstein made a darting run to the near post, but Ugo Ihemelu was with him stride for stride and cleared the ball away.
Two minutes later the Galaxy took the lead. Chris Albright made a long run from his right back position, beating a slew of defenders before sending a cross along the ground into the 18. Alan Gordon held the ball up, then laid a pass back to Pete Vagenas. Vagenas took a quick touch then buried his shot into the top of the net inside the near post to give the Galaxy the lead.
The Galaxy took until the closing moments of the opening 45 minutes to really threaten again. Cobi Jones found Gordon lurking at the back post with a looping cross. The 6-foot-3 forward put his header on target and only a fingertip save by Guzan kept the ball out of the net.
On the ensuing corner kick Galaxy central defender Tyrone Marshall rattled the post with a header. The ball eventually rebounded to the top of the penalty area where Vagenas was looking for his second goal of the night. His full volley attempt, while well struck, lacked accuracy and skipped wide of the near post.
As the second half started the Galaxy set up camp in the Chivas end of the field. In just the 48th minute, Jones nearly hooked up with Gordon again. It was Jones with the cross and Gordon with the header at the edge of the six, and while Gordon nodded his header down, it wasn't far enough into the corner allowing Guzan to make yet another save.
Three minutes later Donovan found himself dribbling along the top of the penalty area. From 20 yards out the U.S. international fired a left footed shot, but his effort sailed just wide of the post.
The first chance of the second half for Chivas came in the 57th minute. Orlando Perez lined up a free kick from about 22 yards out and hit a wickedly bending free kick that cleared the wall and was heading towards the back of the net until Galaxy netminder Kevin Hartman dove to punch the ball clear.
The Galaxy doubled the advantage in the 67th minute courtesy of Donovan. The play started in midfield when Gordon collected the ball and played it for Jones to run onto. Just before he nearly got through alone, Jones got tangled up with Tim Regan in the area and both players went to ground. Donovan was following up and tucked the ball past Guzan for the game's second goal.
Gordon finally capitalized on a scoring chance in the 80th minute, putting the game out of reach. Albright took the ball on a long run down the right side. He drove in a cross to the near post where Gordon fiercely headed the ball into the back of the net to give Los Angeles a 3-0 advantage.
Los Angeles continued to pour on the offense. Moments after Gordon's goal, Donovan carried the ball deep into the penalty area before playing the ball across to Gordon. Gordon settled the ball and tried to shoot with his second touch, but his point-blank effort was blocked by an onrushing defender.
With the win, the Galaxy moved to within one point of Real Salt Lake and three points of Colorado thanks to the other results Saturday. The job of making the playoffs is still an uphill climb for Los Angeles, but Saturday's win at the very least keeps hope alive on the Galaxy side of the hall, while keeping things just that little bit tense on the Chivas side.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
