CARSON, Calif. -- The SuperClásico rivalry remained very one-sided Sunday afternoon at StubHub Center, with the LA Galaxy dissecting Chivas USA’s defense for a comfortable 3-0 victory, their first of the 2014 season.
The Galaxy got goals from Robbie Keane, Stefan Ishizaki and Baggio Husidic to claim their 16th win in 21 rivalry games since the beginning of 2008; Chivas USA have only won once in that same span.
Much of the damage was done in a 20-minute flurry spanning both halves. Galaxy right back Dan Gargan, making his first start for LA in place of the injured A.J. DeLaGarza (shin), sent a header into the box that sneaked past goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to a waiting Keane, who walked the ball past the line for the tiebreaking score in the 37th minute.
Four minutes later, Ishizaki doubled the lead with a stellar chip to the far-side netting after speeding past Carlos Bocanegra and Kennedy. Despite the narrow window, Ishizaki capitalized on Juninho’s well-placed pass for his first career goal.
Nine minutes into the second half, it was Husidic’s turn. After a give-and-go from Keane to Landon Donovan, Husidic found just enough space at the top of the box and beat Kennedy with a low drive to the left corner.
The Galaxy (1-1-1) earned their third consecutive shutout in the rivalry, outscoring the Rojiblancos 9-0 since the sides drew in their first meeting last year.
Chivas USA (1-2-2), meanwhile, hardly tested goalkeeper Brian Perk, who started ahead of Jaime Penedo, who was available for the game but had to watch from the bench.
The Goats didn’t record their first shot on goal until the 81st minute. It was another woeful performance from a patchwork Chivas USA defense that was already without usual starters Bobby Burling (labrum) and Oswaldo Minda (hamstring), and also missed starting left back Tony Lochhead (hamstring) on Sunday. Newcomer Andrew Jean-Baptiste earned the nod in his place to make his first appearance with the Rojiblancos.
The next edition of the cross-hall rivalry is scheduled for June 8, with the Galaxy serving as the designated home team. The third and final league match between the two is set for Aug. 31.
In the meantime, the Galaxy stay in town to host Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, while Chivas USA hit the road to face the Portland Timbers that same night.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/landon-donovan" target="”_blank”">Landon Donovan</a></span> |
Didn't get Goal No. 135 despite some great looks, but was nonetheless devastating when running at Chivas USA's defense and came away with two assists |
2 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/robbie-keane" target="”_blank”">Robbie Keane</a></span> |
Questions of handball on his goal, but his passing and movement were on point, and he played an important role in LA's third |
3 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/stefan-ishizaki" target="”_blank”">Stefan Ishizaki</a></span> |
Best performance in a Galaxy shirt for the Swede, operating at the top of the midfield. Set up the first with a great cross-field ball and the chip for the second was inch-perfect |