MLS Playoffs: Chivas USA, Galaxy Clasico Finishes In Spirited Draw

CARSON, Calif. - Neither Chivas USA nor the Los Angeles Galaxy were up for the task of claiming local bragging rights over the other - at least for one week anyway - as the Home Depot Center co-tenants finished in a 2-2 draw on Sunday in the first leg of their Western Conference Semifinal playoff series.

Defensive miscues dominated the match as the two normally dependable defensive sides committed mistakes that led to opposing goals.

Thus, the series will come down to the second leg, slated for Sunday Nov. 8 in what will be the Galaxy's designated home match.

First Half

It was Chivas USA who made the initial mark on the Super Clasico playoff history. In the fourth minute, Sacha Kljestan played a long ball from the back to the left side of the field towards Maicon Santos. The Brazilian held the ball as Galaxy rookier Omar Gonzalez marked him, but Gonzalez stood a bit off from Santos' mark. With time and space, Santos ripped a left-footed shot from 20 yards out and tucked it inside the far post, just past the outstretched arms of Donovan Ricketts.

Chivas USA's surge, though, lasted about 10 minutes until defender Yamith Cuesta did his best to help out the Galaxy. On a bouncing ball inside the penalty area, Cuesta failed to get proper footing underneath and watched the ball bounce away from him and towards the Galaxy's Mike Magee. Completely unmarked inside the box, Magee collected the ball, picked out the left corner and easily slipped the ball past Chivas USA's Zach Thornton.

Instead of trying to force the Galaxy to create some offense in order to mount a comeback, then, the designated host side had all but gifted a goal to the Galaxy.

The Galaxy began to take control of the possession but neither side was very efficient in the attacking third. In the 27th minute, Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall picked up the series' first of what could be many cards as Birchall saw yellow after a reckless foul on Michael Lahoud.

As the Chivas USA rookie carried the ball in the middle of the field, Birchall slid into Lahoud with a hard slide tackle and up-ended him. As Birchall stood over the fallen Lahoud, Kljestan raced over and shoved Birchall away from his teammate, which sparked a similarly heated reaction from Galaxy midfielder Dema Kovalenko.

With the match seemingly headed to halftime with a 1-1 deadlock, Santos again offered assistance to the Galaxy. On a Galaxy corner kick, Magee wound up with the ball on the right side of the penalty area. With Thornton scrambling and off his line, Magee lifted the ball high towards the front of the goal but it was cleared out of the area. Standing about 10 yards outside the area, Santos tried to clear the ball further but sent it right back into the penalty area, and Landon Donovan raced onto
the ball. With Thornton scrambling yet again, Donovan pushed a shot over the goal line.

Second Half

Sloppy defensive play continued to make its mark on the Super Clasico. Just five minutes in, Gonzalez once again showed shaky form. As Gonzalez shielded Santos off a ball down the left sideline, Gonzalez sent the ball inside the penalty area, towards teammate Sean Franklin. The ball, though, got past Franklin as Maykel Galindo raced towards it. Galindo, who replaced Lahoud at halftime, beat Ricketts to the ball and poked in a 10-yard shot into an empty net to level terms.

It was then that Ricketts had apparently decided to atone for his young teammate's mistakes and showed the form that led him to become the Galaxy's goalkeeper. First, Ricketts made a diving save on a 25-yard rocket by Nagamura in the 58th minute. Then, two minutes later Ricketts turned Santos away after Justin Braun had found Santos on the left post with a well-placed cross from the right side of the box.

Galaxy substitute Alan Gordon teamed up with Donovan for two plays that nearly led to go-ahead goals, but neither found the back of the net. In the 74th minute, Donovan and Gordon combined a quick give-and-go as Gordon wound up with the ball on the right side of the field. Gordon tried to pick out the left corner of the net but failed on the chance, but could have opted for an open Donovan in front of the goal instead.

A minute later, Gordon found Donovan in similar play, and this time Donovan found the ball and placed it on frame but Thornton did well to catch the ball and make the save.

Ultimately, neither side could break down the other in the final portion of the game and the two sides had to settle for a spirited and emotional draw.

Luis Bueno, Goal.com

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