By DAN KARELL
For the second SuperClasico in a row, a homegrown signing scored the opening goal. This time, the Los Angeles Galaxy held on to make it count.
Gyasi Zardes rose high on a free kick from Landon Donovan in the 44th minute, heading home past Dan Kennedy off the far post for the game’s lone goal. The result was a 1-0 victory over Chivas USA in the second SuperClasico of the year, and the end of a four match winless streak for the Galaxy in all competitions.
Though a designated Chivas USA home match at the StubHub Center, and a sparse crowd of 14,575 in attendance, the Galaxy made themselves at home in Carson, California, controlling the match and using both wings to their advantage. The Galaxy nearly took the lead through Robbie Rogers, though his goal was disallowed for an offside call on teammate Robbie Keane.
After Zardes’ goal just before halftime, the 21-year-old homegrown signing nearly scored again, sending a header ricocheting off the post and away. He was a hassle for the Chivas USA defense all match, and was eventually taken off in the 87th minute after putting in a shift.
Chivas USA had a chance early through midfielder Jose Manuel Rivera, but Galaxy goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini was quick to dive to his left to save Rivera’s strike. After that point, Tristan Bowen hit the side netting once, while Jorge Villafaña blasted one that just went wide, but Chivas USA couldn’t get another chance on target the rest of the match.
Here are the match highlights: