Chivas USA is new king of L.A., 3-0
Three days before Mexicans celebrate their independence from Spain, Chivas USA celebrated its independence from the Galaxy.
They did it in grand fashion, with smoke bombs and another 3-0 victory Thursday night at the Home Depot Center.
Not only that, but Chivas also vaulted into first place in the Western Conference and won the 2007 SuperClasico trophy for the first time in three seasons.
After the game, Chivas celebrated its victory with its fans while Mexican signer Vicente Fernandez’s song “El Rey,” which translates into “The King,” played over the sound system.
“I think it’s obvious that L.A. is our town this year,” Chivas midfielder Sacha Kljestan said. “I’m more excited than anything that we are in first place now.”
With their second victory in 2007 over the rival Galaxy, Chivas won the season series for the first time. Chivas improved to 13-6-4 with 43 points, one more than Houston in the Western Conference race.
The Galaxy’s season continues its downward slide. The team has the worst record in Major League Soccer at 4-12-5 with defending champion Houston scheduled to come to the Home Depot Center on Sunday.
The Galaxy’s David Beckham, in a halftime interview with ESPN2, said he hoped to be able to play again before the MLS regular-season ends on Oct. 21, but was uncertain if he would be able to do so.
“The rehab is going really well,” he said. “I’m working twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. I’m doing everything possible to get myself fit before the end of the season.
“At the moment, if it carries on progressing like it is, then I’ve got a chance of playing before the end of the season, but I don’t want to give a time because who knows with injuries. But, obviously, the knee is giving my ankle a chance to get a lot better as well.”
Playing in front of an announced crowd of 23,328, the second-largest crowd to watch a Chivas home game this season, Chivas remained the best home team in the league. It improved to 9-0-2 at the Home Depot Center and extended its home-unbeaten streak to 14, five behind the Columbus Crew’s Major League Soccer record of 19 set during the 2004 and ’05 seasons.
Ante Razov scored the first goal for Chivas in the 22nd minute with a shot that bounced in after hitting the inside of the post. Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon got a piece of the shot but not enough to change its trajectory.
The Galaxy came close to scoring in the 35th minute when Kyle Martino got past the defense and was able to get a shot off before a charging Brad Guzan got to him.
The ball went past Guzan and defenders Shavar Thomas and Claudio Thomas before Francisco Mendoza was able to clear it.
Mendoza became an even bigger menace to the Galaxy in the 88th minute when he removed any remaining drama with a left-footed shot that beat Cannon.
Chivas then added to their lead with a goal by Laurent Merlin in added time.
Merlin, a French forward, signed with Chivas in April after having earned a one-week trial with the Galaxy by impressing team officials during an open tryout in February.
“It’s been a long three years,” Chivas forward Ante Razov said. “We still have a long ways to go yet, but it’s good for the fans to know we are the top team in L.A.”
Times staff writer Grahame L. Jones contributed to this report.
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