The Los Angeles Galaxy continued their run of good form on Saturday night, earning a 1-0 victory against hometown rival Chivas USA. A 30th-minute goal from Edson Buddle was the difference as LA produced its third 1-0 win in as many games while condemning Chivas to its fourth loss in the last five league matches.
The Galaxy were buoyed by returning captain Landon Donovan, who was making his first appearance with LA since returning from a stint with the U.S. national team at the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. Donovan's strong play in the midfield coupled with a solid defensive effort and a few nice saves from backup goalkeeper Josh Saunders helped the Galaxy to improve to an impressive 9-3-5 record all-time in league play against Chivas USA.
Right from the opening whistle, the 17th edition of the SuperClásico was a cagey one. It was obvious that both teams had a healthy respect for each other as they spent the first quarter-hour of the game locked in a stalemate in the midfield.
The game began to open up as the clock passed the 20-minute mark, but strong defense remained the priority for both teams. Offensive attacks from each side were consistently stymied by organized and rigid defending at the back.
The Galaxy finally broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when A.J. DeLaGarza sent a hard cross into the Chivas USA penalty area from the right flank. Buddle outmuscled his defender to make first contact, heading the ball into the lower right corner of Zach Thornton's net to take Los Angeles ahead 1-0.
The Galaxy continued to attack the Chivas USA net as the match continued. Much of the team's offensive effort was driven by Donovan, who provided a number of incisive passes to his strikers through the midfield.
The talismanic captain almost doubled LA's lead himself in the 37th minute when he stole a pass on the halfway line and headed for goal. He outpaced the Red-and-White defenders down the left flank and hit a hard shot that sailed just over the top left corner of the net.
Los Angeles maintained solid control as the first half came to a close, testing Zach Thornton on a few corner kicks and enjoying the majority of possession.
If Chivas USA were going to turn the tide in their favor in the second half, they needed to find some new energy, and a lineup reshuffle came in an effort to bolster its offensive efforts. Mexican striker Eduardo Lillingston was brought on to partner Maykel Galindo up top, while Atiba Harris was pushed back into the midfield in place of Bojan Stepanovic.
The move reinvigorated the Red-and-White, who almost equalized in the 48th minute when Carey Talley sent a free kick into the Galaxy area from the left flank. LA 'keeper Saunders failed to clear the ball with a punching save and after some bobbling in the box, it landed at the feet of Galindo. The Cuban native quickly turned and shot but his effort missed just wide of the left post to hold the score at 1-0.
Chivas USA pressed forward, taking advantage of its fresh legs and the support from a jubilant Home Depot Center crowd. The Red-and-White set up camp in the Galaxy end, putting together a number of good chances on net. The best look came in the 60th minute when Sasha Victorine drilled a ball into a crowded penalty area that was mis-hit by Buddle. Only a diving tip from Saunders saved the striker from an own goal.
Chivas USA head coach Preki further upped his offensive ante in the 68th minute, pulling midfielder Sacha Kljestan off in favor of striker Chukwudi Chijindu.
The move seemed to pay off. Chivas USA battered the Los Angeles defense as the contest passed into the final 15 minutes, sending a number of crosses into the box and running at the Galaxy defenders. Chijindu was almost the architect of an equalizer when he sent a clever ball across the top of the box to Galindo. Galindo one-touched to Harris, who blasted a shot just over the top of the Galaxy net.
While Chivas USA enjoyed the majority of possession, the Galaxy were not without their opportunities. Buddle was a constant threat to the Red-and-White backline, counterattacking with speed on a few half-chances, and Donovan continued to create strong offense from the midfield with incisive passing and good tackling.
The Red-and-White pummeled the Los Angeles net in the game's final minutes, but were unable to find an equalizer. With the final whistle, Chivas USA fell to a dismal 1-4-2 in their last seven league games and seven losses in their last nine games in all competitions, while the Galaxy earn their third win in three matches after back-to-back losses.
The Galaxy travel cross-country to face the New York Red Bulls on Thurs., July 16, while Chivas USA will also head East, taking on the New England Revolution on Sun., July 19.
Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com
