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Matchday 33
Final
Chivas USA 2-2 Los Angeles
Half: 1-2
Goals
4'M. Santos1-0  
  1-1M. Magee14'
  1-2L. Donovan41'
50'M. Galindo2-2  
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Final Boxscore
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Chivas USA v Los Angeles
Time Commentary
FT' Final: Los Angeles 2, Chivas USA 2
Halloween was last night, but there were plenty of frightening things going on today at the Home Depot Center. Mostly it was the defending and decision-making that was to blame, as there were at least three goals that counted as absolute horror shows and the fourth that was merely "very soft." Still, as the "visiting" team, the Galaxy will have a big advantage going into Sunday's return leg - even a 1-1 draw sends them through to the next round.
92' Kljestan picks Beckham's pocket
Sacha Kljestan picks David Beckham's pocket, and then Maykel Galindo does some hard work to earn a throw in deep in Galaxy territory. Nothing comes of it, but it shows how Chivas USA has dominated the second half.
90' Four minutes of extra time
Do either team have the winner in them? At least it looks like both teams are game to make the effort instead of sitting on the draw.
88' Action goes back and forth
It's up and down soccer as both teams want to game winner. There should be a few minutes of extra time at least because of the various knocks and injuries (like Ricketts) so the drama is far from over.
88' Donovan and Gordon almost hook up again
Again, Landon Donovan almost teams up with Alan Gordon. This time it was a cross sent in by Donovan from the left side that was just past the legs of a sliding Gordon, who is a tall guy to begin with.
87' Break for some housework
We're in a delay because (for some unknown reason) one of the Chivas USA support groups decided to launch a sea of streamers onto the field, getting tangled up with the Chivas USA net. Not smart or very sportsmanlike.
85' Beckham shows some flair, can't create chance
David Beckham shows a little flair and almost beats two Chivas USA defenders at the touch line. Alan Gordon stays down for a while after a mystery knock.
82' Yellow card for Saragosa for foul on Beckham
After a stretch of fairly timid play, the rivalry flares up again. Marcelo Saragosa picks up a yellow card for an elbow against David Beckham while going up for a ball.
81' Arena may be stymied for third sub
It might be tough for Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena to make a third sub, based on the gimpy leg of Donovan Ricketts. He might have to hold it in reserve in case his leg injury flares up.
79' Chivas USA makes final sub
Chivas USA coach Preki makes his final sub of the game, with Jorge Flores replacing Ante Jazic in defense. It would appear that Chivas USA is playing to win by bringing in a more offensive option with the midfielder Flores replacing the defender Jazic.
77' Subs for each team
A pair of subs: Chris Klein comes in for Chris Birchall in the midfield, while Jesus Padilla replaces Maicon Santos up top for Chivas USA.
76' Gordon and Donovan almost team up again
Donovan and Gordon almost team up again, as they find themselves with a great breakaway opportunity. But Donovan strike a half shot, half pass that slides across the goal mouth and away for a goal kick
74' Donovan and Gordon team up
The Galaxy have their best scoring chance of the second half, as Landon Donovan and Alan Gordon have a good one-two exchange, but Donovan's final shot from the top of the box is drilled right at Zach Thornton.
70' Ricketts is down but not out after goal kick
Donovan Ricketts is down in a heap in front of the Galaxy goal, with an apparently leg injury. Hard to tell if it's a cramp or something more serious, but he's receiving a good deal of attention. Galaxy backup keeper Josh Saunders is warming up in a hurry on the Galaxy sideline, but Ricketts is going to stay in for now.
69' Alan Gordon replaces Edson Buddle
Alan Gordon comes into the game for Edson Buddle, who had a few moments but was otherwise fairly unimpressive.
66' Buddle's volley sails high
Edson Buddle tries a pinwheel volley in front of the goal from a popped up header. He gets around on it fairly well, having it go not too far above the crossbar. It's the first decent chance the Galaxy have had in the second half.
62' Eddie Lewis comes on for Mike Magee
Eddie Lewis is coming on to the game to replace Mike Magee. It would appear that Galaxy coach Bruce Arena is looking to bring on a settling influence as much as anything else.
61' Ricketts with another beauty
Justin Braun floats a cross to the far post, which Maicon Santos gets a good header on. But Donovan Ricketts makes himself about 20 feet wide to block it and force a corner.
59' Chivas USA ramps up counters
The way that Chivas USA are counterattacking, you can sense that they smell blood in the water. In particular, Sacha Kljestan is finding way too much room to operate in the midfield.
57' Nagamura launches a rocket, forces a great Ricketts save
Donovan Ricketts is forced into his best save of the day. Paulo Nagamura blasted a volley from outside the box that was on targeted and curling back towards the edge of the near post, but Ricketts stayed with it to force a corner.
56' Even the routine is interesting
You can almost sense the fans holding their breath whenever the ball gets near either goal - for whatever reason. Even a simple back pass to the goalie is grounds for a collective gripping of seats on both sides.
51' Galaxy matching Chivas USA for every gift goal
Just when you think you've seen everything, something crazier happens. Omar Gonzalez tries to back pass to another Galaxy defender - possibly Gregg Berhalter - who just gave up on the ball. Maykel Galindo didn't, and after getting to it before Donovan Ricketts, he put it into the empty net to tie the score.
49' Galindo gets off a shot
Maykel Galindo works his way into the Galaxy defense, but his hard shot ricochets over the bar for a corner that Chivas USA does little with. Still, it shows the type of offensive spark he can bring to a game.
48' Braun looks to get involved
Justin Braun looked adrift in the first half, but he appears to be more into the game as the second half begins. They need his physicality he brings if they want to solve the Galaxy's defense.
46' Second half underway
Even though the Galaxy were the beneficiary of what can only be called brain dead plays by Chivas USA, you can also make the case they deserve the first half lead. They controlled possession and were far more active in the final 20 minutes. They outshot Chivas USA 9-2 in the first half and generally were the more aggressive team.It might seem odd with both teams playing in the same stadium, but it's important to keep in mind that the Galaxy are the road team here. Even a draw puts Chivas USA in a bad spot for the "return" leg next Sunday - and keep in mind that Chivas USA hasn't scored three goals in a game this season.One halftime sub for Chivas USA - Maykel Gallindo comes in to replace Michael Lahoud. Chivas USA needs goals and they know it.
45+' Halftime: Los Angeles 2, Chivas USA 1
It's easy to forget just how silly the Galaxy looked in giving up the game's early goal after the train wreck that the last two Chivas USA goals were. It's rare you see one goal conceded in such an ugly fashion all playoffs. But two in one half by the same team?
45+' Last corner of the half for Beckham, Galaxy
David Beckham slowly - almost imperiously - strides up to take the last corner kick of the first half for the Galaxy. It's a decent attempt, but Todd Dunivant can only climb up the back of Ante Jazic in an attempt for the header.
42' Another bonehead Chivas USA play, another Galaxy goal
Attempting to clear the ball following a wild scramble in front of the goal, Chivas USA gets it as far as Maicon Santos just past the top of the box. But instead of settling, he tries the same over his head kick that Cuesta tried earlier in the match, with the same lack of results. Instead of sending the ball backwards, he pokes at it and sends it right to the front of the Galaxy box, where Landon Donovan fights off Carey Talley and rolls it past Zach Thornton. Chivas USA chases Kevin Stott down appealing for offsides, to no avail.
35' Beckham gets rough
David Beckham picks up a foul - and a lecture from the ref - after knocking Jonathan Bornstein over in a hard collision over a 50/50 ball. The he has some strong words for Bornstein as the Chivas USA defender is picking himself off. Certainly there's no love lost there.
34' Things are getting rough out there
Things are officially getting testy with a series of hard tackles along the near sideline by both teams. The referees seem to want to let them play rather than turn this into a card fest.
30' Beckham hears the whistles from the crowd
David Beckham hears a chorus of boos from the crowd after he sails a cross attempt about 10 rows deep into the stands. He's played a spirited game on both ends so far, but hasn't been the deciding factor you might think.
27' Birchall gets booked for late tackle on Lahoud
Chris Birchall earns a deserved yellow card for a late tackle from behind on Michael Lahoud when he had no chance to get to the ball. Sacha Kljestan runs about 25 yards at full bore to let Birchall know who he felt about the tackle.
26' Donovan starts to roam
Landon Donovan has started to range across the field. This time he cut across the box to take a pass and get off a powerful shot from the top of the box that was deflected away. You have to assume you'll see more of that as the match goes on.
23' Gonzalez wins battle against Santos
Maicon Santos tried to use his speed to isolate one-on-one with Omar Gonzalez, but the big Galaxy rookie held his ground and was able to engineer the takeaway.
22' Landon Donovan a missing man so far
A missing man so far in the match? Landon Donovan. He's spent most of his time floating around the left wing and not influencing the play.
19' Lahoud suffers a knock
Chivas USA plays the ball out after Michael Lahoud stays down for a few minutes clutching his hip after a hard fall. He appears to be fine if a little gimpy
14' Galaxy get gift goal from Cuesta's blunder
Yamith Cuesta just made an inexcusable mistake, and the Galaxy made him pay. A ball was floated into the box, with two Chivas USA defenders and just Mike Magee there for the Galaxy. Cuesta decided to try and kick the ball over his own head instead of passing it back to Zach Thorton or settling on it. It didn't work. He completely flubbed the clearance, leaving the ball for Magee to drill past a helpless Thornton. Just like that, we're tied at 1-1.
11' First corner for Galaxy
The Galaxy earn their first corner of the game along the the left side, getting attention as David Beckham goes to take it. Chivas USA catches a break - Zach Thorton comes out to punch it away, but Edson Buddle almost is able to get it past him.
10' Jazic breaks up a Galaxy counter
Ante Jazic breaks up a possible Galaxy counterattack with some good one-on-one defense on Edson Buddle, who had been spotted with a long ball by David Beckham.
7' Were shadows a factor?
Maicon Santos struck his kick in the shadows of the Home Depot Center roof - Galaxy keep Donovan Ricketts was standing in the sun. It's pure speculation, but perhaps - like a batter in the twilight - the shadows might have stopped Ricketts from making a play?
4' Santos draws first blood for Chivas USA
Chivas USA draws first blood. Sasha Kljestan takes the ball from his own half and finds Maicon Santos with a long midfield cross. Santos finds a spot at the top of the top along the left side, then hits a low, moderately hard shot to the far post. Donovan Ricketts either was screened out or just plain misplayed it - he didn't get down until the last second, and the ball slips by for an early 1-0 lead.
4' No Jesse Marsch for Chivas USA
No Jesse Marsch for Chivas USA - his post-concussion syndrome is keeping him off the roster for this first leg. How Chivas USA will replace his holding presence on the roster remains to be seen.
1' Buddle creates an early chance
Edson Biddle creates an early chance, hauling in a long pass in the box and quickly turning on a half-volley to fire a shot that strikes the side netting.
1' And the Super Duper Clasico begins...
The Galaxy take the opening kick and are moving left to right. And then promptly turn it right over to Chivas USA.
0' Rosters and refs
Note: You couldn't have dreamed a more perfect day for soccer in Southern California - blue skies and temperatures in the low 80s with a cooling breeze. Los Angeles Galaxy (4-4-2): Ricketts - Franklin, Berhalter, Gonzalez, Dunivant - Birchall, Beckham, Kovalenko, Magee - Buddle, Donovan. Chivas USA (4-4-2): Thornton - Talley, Bornstein, Cuesta, Jazic - Lahoud, Nagamura, Saragosa, Kljestan - Braun, Santos. Referee: Kevin Stott Referee's Assistants: Kermit Quisenberry, Corey Rockwell 4th Official: Paul Ward
0' Pregame: Los Angeles @ Chivas USA
For the first time in MLS history, the two residents of the Home Depot Center meet in the playoffs, with Chivas USA taking their turn to "host" the Galaxy in the first of this two-legged MLS Western Conference semifinal. The Galaxy shocked many by earning the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, while Chivas USA slid in the second half of the season to the No. 4 seed. As always, there's plenty of bad blood between these two teams. Chivas has yet to beat the Galaxy this season, the Los Angeles taking two wins and a draw. But you have to assume all bets are off when the Super Clasico reaches unprecedented levels of importance.
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Teams
Chivas USAStarter
Zach Thornton - 22Y
Paulo Nagamura - 5Y
Ante Jazic - 6Y
Carey Talley - 12Y
Jonathan Bornstein - 13Y
Sacha Kljestan - 16Y
Justin Braun - 17Y
Michael Lahoud - 27Y
Maicon Santos - 29Y
Yamith Cuesta - 45Y
Marcelo Saragosa - 55Y
Jesús Padilla - 10N
Maykel Galindo - 11N
Jorge Flores - 19N
Los AngelesStarter
Donovan Ricketts - 1Y
Todd Dunivant - 2Y
Omar Gonzalez - 4Y
Dema Kovalenko - 8Y
Landon Donovan - 10Y
Edson Buddle - 14Y
Gregg Berhalter - 16Y
Mike Magee - 18Y
David Beckham - 23Y
Sean Franklin - 28Y
Chris Birchall - 33Y
Eddie Lewis - 6N
Chris Klein - 7N
Alan Gordon - 21N
Substitution
' - Galindo
 - Lahoud
' - Padilla
 - Santos
' - Flores
 - Jazic
Lewis - '
Magee - 
Gordon - '
Buddle - 
Klein - '
Birchall - 
Yellow Cards
 Saragosa (81')
Birchall (27')  
Chivas USATeam StatsLos Angeles
2 Goals 2
1 Assists 0
8 Shots 12
4 Shots on Goal 5
3 Saves 2
0 Penalties Scored 0
0 Penalty Kicks 0
6 Corner Kicks 3
8 Offsides 1
6 Fouls Committed 12
1 Cautions/Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
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Chivas USA
  GA SHT SHT-OG Svs SPct PKF PKS YC RC
Z. Thornton - 22 2 5 5 3 60.0 0 0 0 0
  SUB G Ast SHTS SOG SOG% CK FC FS Off YC RC
P. Nagamura - 5 0 0 2 1 50.0 0 1 2 0 0 0
A. Jazic - 6 - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0
J. Padilla - 10 + 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 1 0 0
M. Galindo - 11 + 1 0 2 1 50.0 0 0 1 3 0 0
C. Talley - 12 0 0 0 0 - 2 0 0 0 0 0
J. Bornstein - 13 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0
S. Kljestan - 16 0 1 1 0 0.0 4 0 3 0 0 0
J. Braun - 17 0 0 1 0 0.0 0 1 2 3 0 0
J. Flores - 19 + 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0
M. Lahoud - 27 - 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 2 0 0 0
M. Santos - 29 - 1 0 2 2 100.0 0 1 0 1 0 0
Y. Cuesta - 45 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 2 0 0 0
M. Saragosa - 55 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 0 0 1 0

Los Angeles
  GA SHT SHT-OG Svs SPct PKF PKS YC RC
D. Ricketts - 1 2 4 4 2 50.0 0 0 0 0
  SUB G Ast SHTS SOG SOG% CK FC FS Off YC RC
T. Dunivant - 2 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 0 0 0 0
O. Gonzalez - 4 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0
E. Lewis - 6 + 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 1 0 0 0
C. Klein - 7 + 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0
D. Kovalenko - 8 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 1 0 0 0
L. Donovan - 10 1 0 4 2 50.0 0 2 1 0 0 0
E. Buddle - 14 - 0 0 3 1 33.3 0 0 0 0 0 0
G. Berhalter - 16 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 1 0 0 0
M. Magee - 18 - 1 0 2 1 50.0 0 3 0 0 0 0
A. Gordon - 21 + 0 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 0 0
D. Beckham - 23 0 0 0 0 - 3 1 1 0 0 0
S. Franklin - 28 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 0 0 0 0
C. Birchall - 33 - 0 0 1 0 0.0 0 1 0 0 1 0
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Goalkeepers
GAGoals Allowed
SHTShots Faced
SHT-OGShots on Goal Faced
SvsSaves
SPctSave Pct.(Percentage)
PKFPenalty Kicks Faced
PKSPenalty Kicks Saved
YCCautions/Yellow Cards
RCRed Cards
Players
GGoals
SHTSShots
SOGShots on Goal
SOG%Shots on Goal %
CKCorner Kicks
CKCorner Kicks
CRCrosses
FCFouls Committed
FSFouls Suffered
YCCautions/Yellow Cards
RCRed Cards
AstAssists
OffOffsides
SUBSubstitution
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