4.29.2007

Galaxy Top Chivas In Super Clasico

Landon Donovan led a re-energized L.A. Galaxy side to a 3-1 win over rivals Chivas USA on Saturday night.

Donovan got the scoring going early when, in the 8th minute, Chivas defender Claudio Suarez and 'keeper Brad Guzan got tangled when trying to deal with a Kyle Martino cross. The two collided and the ball squirted free where Landon Donovan was in the right place at the right time to slot it home and give the G's a 1-0 lead.

Donovan was involved in the second Galaxy goal as well, with a nice give-and-go pass to Kevin Harmse who beat Guzan at the near post in the 17th minute.

Things settled down after that, and in the second half, Chivas USA looked to pull one back. In the 63rd minute, a Chivas corner kick got bounced around to several players in the box. Ante Razov's header hit the near post and ricocheted back into the scrum where Jesse Marsch fired toward the goal. This time, Claudio Suarez was in the right place, as the ball caromed off his thigh and into the goal to make it 2-1.

But Landon Donovan proved to be too much for Chivas to handle again. In the 78th minute, Donovan was off to the races, hurdling a tackle from Lawson Vaughn and placed the ball perfectly on the foot of a streaking Cobi Jones, who beat Guzan for the night's final goal.

TJ's take: It was an electric atmosphere for the first Super Clasico of the year. I can't wait for the second one to take place, in about a month's time. Donovan looked spectacular and I was also impressed by the hustle of Kyle Martino. He was constantly running for the entire game. All in all, the G's were in the best form of their young season. They now have two weeks off before taking on the New England Revolution at home.

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