CARSON, CALIFORNIA (TICKER) —A complete overhaul of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s management couldn’t end a two-month winless streak, but at least it was a step in the right direction.
Alan Gordon scored in extra time on Thursday night to help the Galaxy salvage a 2-2 tie and win their SuperClasico series against rivals Chivas USA.
With its last win coming on June 14, Los Angeles (6-8-6) made significant changes on Monday as coach Ruud Gullit resigned while general manager and president Alexi Lalas was fired.
Former Galaxy star Cobi Jones was chosen to replace Gullit on an interim basis, but his debut did not go exactly as planned.
“I’ve been put in the position a little bit sooner than I expected, but when it comes to the job I think I’m up for it,” Jones told the Los Angeles Times before the game. “Obviously, it takes time for things to work out the way you want them to.”
Paulo Nagamura and Atiba Harris both scored in the second half for Chivas USA (6-8-5), which was on the verge of victory until Gordon found the back of the net in the 92nd minute.
Ante Jazic carried the ball up the left side of the field and sent a long cross into the box. Gordon managed to head the ball past Chivas goalkeeper Zach Thornton for his fourth goal as Los Angeles won the SuperClasico series with a win and two draws.
Nagamura gave Chivas USA a 2-1 advantage in the 63rd minute with his first goal since the third game of the season.
Atiba Harris, who scored 13 minutes earlier to knot the score, momentarily broke free of the Galaxy defense and raced into the penalty area. After a pair of defenders caught up, Harris found Nagamura cutting to the goal and the Chivas midfielder made no mistake, beating Los Angeles goalkeeper Steve Cronin with a powerful shot in the middle of the net.
Landon Donovan opened the scoring in the eighth minute when he the flew up the right side of the field and received a pass from Chris Klein, who was standing near the right sideline. Donovan, who was left off the U.S. Olympic Soccer team in order to play in the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Guatemala, ripped a shot past Thornton for his MLS-leading 14th goal of the season.
Jones believes that in order for the Galaxy to be successful, Donovan and David Beckham need to step up.
“A lot of responsibility falls upon those guys to be the ones that lead this team, to be the ones that make things happen, to be the difference-makers,” Jones told the Times. “That’s what I expect, the team expects, and all the fans expect - to see something special from those guys.”