MLS Playoffs: Galaxy Extend Superiority Over Chivas USA To Postseason

CARSON, Calif. -- The first five years of the Los Angeles Galaxy-Chivas USA rivalry has been all Galaxy. Sunday's playoff-clinching victory only put an exclamation mark on that.

The Galaxy beat Chivas USA 1-0 in the decisive second leg of the teams' Western Conference Semifinal series against their in-stadium rivals and won the series on a 3-2 aggregate.

The Galaxy will now host Houston in the Western Conference Final, scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. PT. Chivas, meanwhile, have their fourth consecutive first-round playoff exit to deal with.

First Half

The Galaxy enjoyed the majority of the support from the stands, as many supporters cheered the Galaxy on, wearing gold-colored t-shirts.

On the pitch, the Galaxy also enjoyed the bulk of the action as the designated home side maintained possession over a Chivas team left mostly to defend.

Still, it was Chivas who got the first opportunity. In the 22nd minute, Jesus Padilla ripped a low, hard shot on goal from 15 yards out but Galaxy 'keeper Donovan Ricketts dived and made the stop.

Ten minutes later, Ricketts was called on again. This time, Justin Braun tested Ricketts with a 30-yard bomb. Ricketts dived to his right and sent the ball out for a corner.

The Galaxy had a pair of opportunities in a two-minute span shortly after. First, David Beckham had an open look from 19 yards out but sailed the shot over the crossbar in the 34th minute. Then, Klein had a look from about the same spot but he was able to find the goal. However, Chivas' Zach Thornton jumped and pushed the ball over the crossbar.

Chivas' Sacha Kljestan had a look from distance in the 38th minute and took it. He fired a 27-yard shot on goal but the ball grazed the top of the net as it flew past Ricketts.

Second Half

The designated visitors came out with a bit more determination in the second half but still could not string passes together in front of the goal. The closest the red-and-white clad "visitors" got early on was a 20-yard blast by Paulo Nagamura, who sent the attempt wide of the left post.

In the 60th minute, Chivas manager Preki put Maykel Galindo into the game in place of Padilla. Galindo had instantly energized Chivas a week ago after coming on at halftime.

In the 63rd minute, Maicon Santos pushed the ball to the front of the goal but Galindo was not able to reach the slow-rolling ball as it eventually went out for a Galaxy goal kick.

Klein had another dangerous shot and was once again thwarted by Thornton. Klein blasted a 20-yard shot on frame but Thornton dived to his right and, fully extended, made the save and prevented Klein from scoring. Klein's shot was his final touch in the game as he was replaced shortly after by Jovan Kirovski.

In the 70th minute, Mike Magee won a penalty kick after he was taken down inside the box by Yamith Cuesta. On the play, Magee received the ball on the right side of the six-yard box and Cuesta ran onto him. Cuesta tried to stop him but got his leg tangled up with Magee as he stumbled past Magee. After the initial contact, though, Magee appeared to pause and let himself fall to the ground. Nonetheless, match official Ricardo Salazar pointed to the spot and whistled for a penalty kick.

Donovan stepped to the spot and made no mistake as he buried his attempt past Thornton.

Galindo had an open shot a minute later but it was deflected over crossbar for corner kick.

Beckham appeared to limp around for a few minutes after the goal and looked to be in discomfort. In the 78th minute, Galaxy manager Bruce Arena confirmed that Beckham was indeed injured when he took out the English international in favor of Alan Gordon.

A Galaxy spokesperson said Beckham was not injured; however, with the possibility of extra time and penalties still looming when he left the match, it seems unlikely anything but an injury would have led to his exit.

Chivas mounted some pressure late in the game but never seemed to regain their confidence as the Galaxy closed out the game with out too many problems.

Luis Bueno, Goal.com

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