Ante Jazic of Bedford, NS sends in the cross for Alan Gordon of the Los Angeles Galaxy to head home the tying goal, ensuring that the Galaxy win the SuperClasico over Chivas USA in Major League Soccer (MLS).
CARSON, Calif. -- Alan Gordon's goal in stoppage time gave the LA Galaxy a share of a 2-2 draw Thursday and the return of the SuperClásico trophy Thursday night at The Home Depot Center. Los Angeles controlled the first half hour of the match and took the lead through Landon Donovan, but saw Chivas go ahead on goals from Atiba Harris and Paulo Nagamura before Gordon's late strike.
The Galaxy got off to a quick start, and just seven minutes in created their first scoring chance. David Beckham fed Chris Klein on the right wing. As Klein was breaking in on goal however, he let his touch get too far ahead of him, forcing him into a bad angle, and he shot wide of the back post.
One minute later, Klein provided the pass that set up the opening goal. From the midfield stripe, the Galaxy fullback played a perfect through pass to Donovan, who blew past Bobby Burling and went in alone on Zach Thornton. Donovan coolly tucked the ball past Thornton and into the side netting to give LA the lead. It was the league-leading 14th goal of the year for Donovan.
Chivas nearly managed a quick response in the 14th minute. Keith Savage played a ball between the Galaxy back line and Steve Cronin intended for Justin Braun. Braun slid in and got his foot to the ball but slipped his effort just wide. Braun injured his ankle on the play and had to come off the field, replaced by Roberto Nurse.
Over the next 10 minutes the Galaxy started to pour it on, creating three quality scoring chances in short succession. The first saw Donovan and Edson Buddle streak in together. Buddle tried to cross to Donovan, who had found some space at the back post. The cross was difficult to handle and Donovan had to reach back before looping his shot over the crossbar.
Next up was Beckham, who brought down a through pass with his chest. He looked up and saw Thornton well off his line, and attempted to chip the Chivas 'keeper, but put too much on the shot and missed high.
Donovan capped off the trio of opportunities in the 23rd minute. The U.S. international won a ball in midfield then dribbled right past the entire Chivas defense. The final effort didn't live up to that preceding it though, as Donovan missed the target with his close range shot.
Chivas finally saw a glimmer of life in the 25th minute. Nurse got the ball inside the Galaxy penalty area and used a quick burst to get past Greg Vanney. Like the Galaxy chances, Nurse put too much air under the ball and missed high of the mark.
In the 37th, Atiba Harris cut inside Klein on the left side and made good contact from 18 yards out, but rifled the ball wide of the back post.
Chivas closed out the opening half with a dangerous free kick from 24 yards out. Carey Talley lined up the shot and put his effort on goal, but Steve Cronin did well to get a glove to the shot and steer it away from danger.
Chivas continued their strong play to open the second half. In the 47th minute, Talley passed the ball through the penalty area, eventually finding Daniel Paladini. Paladini turned and got off a shot, but Cronin made the save.
Chivas continued to press, and in the 49th minute, Talley took another free kick that was redirected by Ante Jazic toward goal. Wrongfooted, Cronin still managed to get a hand to the ball and knock it out for a corner.
On the ensuing corner kick, Harris won the ball and directed it on goal, but put it right at Cronin, who made yet another save.
Chivas finally broke through in the 50th minute. Nagamura sparked a counter attack and played a cross along the ground at the top edge of the penalty area. Nurse dummied the ball through for Harris, who hammered a drive high into the goal to level the score.
Giving up a goal woke the Galaxy back up, and in the 52nd minute, Beckham beat Francisco Mendoza to a loose ball in midfield and led Donovan with a 40-yard through ball. Donovan dribbled in and managed to round Thornton, but cut off his own shooting angle. Donovan slowed things down, and found Ely Allen, who was trailing the play, but the rookie missed the target wide.
Chivas took the lead in the 63rd minute, off the foot of Nagamura. The play originated in the midfield and eventually the ball made its way to Harris at the left corner of the area. Harris slipped the ball through to Nagamura behind the Galaxy, and he turned home a shot under Cronin from the top of the six.
The Galaxy caught a break with about 10 minutes to go. Jesse Marsch picked up an injury after Chivas USA had already used all three of their substitutes, and was unable to continue. As a result, the Galaxy played up a man the rest of the match.
Los Angeles nearly capitalized in the 89th. Beckham played yet another inch-perfect ball over the top of the defense for Mike Randolph. Randolph redirected the ball on goal, beating Thornton, but banged his shot off the crossbar.
In the second minute of stoppage time, the Galaxy found the equalizer. Jazic played a great ball into the area for second-half substitute Gordon, and he flicked home a header past Thornton inside the right post.
The goal wasn't enough to snap the Galaxy's winless streak, now at eight games, but it did manage to salvage a point and keep LA ahead of Chivas USA in the standings. The MLS Cup Playoffs are still within reach for the Galaxy, but maximum points will be needed sooner rather than later.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
See Jazic cross in the tying goal - here