SB Nation Los Angeles - Beckham All Smiles As LA Galaxy Defeat Chivas USA 2-1https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2010-10-03T20:06:10-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14803462010-10-03T20:06:10-07:002010-10-03T20:06:10-07:00Beckham All Smiles As LA Galaxy Defeat Chivas USA 2-1
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<p>Beckham’s free kick goal in the 29’ proved to be the deciding point as the Galaxy hold on to defeat Chivas <span class="caps">USA</span> 2-1. Leading at halftime 2-0, the Galaxy gave up a controversial goal to former Galaxy forward <span>Alan Gordon</span>, making the score 2-1 but Chivas were unable to do any further damage. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OETos2kVjs" target="_blank">[Beckham's Goal]</a></p>
<p>Bruce Arena said about Beckham's goal: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>We said on the bench that if he beats the keeper to the left it's going to be a goal, and it was. It was a great free kick.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>After the game, the LA Galaxy were awarded the SuperClassico trophy, a large cup which goes to the winner of the derby each year. Galaxy supporters cheered as several members of the Galaxy presented them with the trophy and did the traditional victory celebration.</p>
<p><span>Edson Buddle</span> was also a major contributor, with an early strike on an open goal bouncing off the top crossbar and finishing a later run on a <span>Michael Stephens</span> volley with a brilliant strike. </p>
<blockquote>
<p>Buddle had a terrific finish when Stephens played a great ball. Had a couple chances earlier in particular when Beckham played it through and he hit the crossbar.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>With the loss Chivas <span class="caps">USA</span> are officially eliminated from playoff contention, though sitting in last place that shouldn’t be much of a surprise. The Galaxy retake first place in the west and in the league overall, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> had briefly overtaken Galaxy with 51 points with a victory on Saturday, but with the win the Galaxy now have 53 points, are en route for a record 60 points, and place 28 points between them and their SuperClassico rival. <span>David Beckham</span> had to say:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It was a big game for us tonight, another good performance from us, though a bit difficult at the end with only ten men. It was a big game, it was important that we won. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>Although the Galaxy went up big in the first half, they didn't manage much going forward in the second, with only four shots, and only one of those on goal. <span>Todd Dunivant</span> had the only shot on goal, in the 71' a sideline shot which was knocked out by keeper <span>Zach Thornton</span>. </p>
<p>Donovon Ricketts was much busier. Though Bruce Arena protests that the Alan Gordon should have been offsides on his goal, Ricketts had to be in position for nine more shots, giving them a total of fifteen on the night to the Galaxy's ten. Gordon was the reason for most of it, peppering the goal with six shots on the night, four of them on goal, including obviously the one which went in but possibly shouldn't have counted. </p>
<p>The teams split the misconducts, though the Galaxy got punished more severly, with <span>Eddie Lewis</span> being sent off in the 76' for violent conduct, stomping on another player's feet. Chivas got the first two yellow cards for reckless behavior, with the Galaxy picking up a last minute yellow for delaying a restart. </p>
<p>Final notes: </p>
<p>*Edson Buddle's goal was his 15th, tying his career high and increasing his lead for the Golden Boot with his closest competitors two goals behind. </p>
<p>*David Beckham only went 65 minutes, where he was planned to finish last week. This time the reasoning was to keep him available for Thursday's match in Philadelphia. </p>
<p>*<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110934/landon-donovan" class="sbn-auto-link">Landon Donovan</a> started at Forward, which Bruce Arena said was planned as the way forward once David Beckham was back at full speed. Expect to see more of Landon and Buddle, but Arena did say that we'll see Donovan at Midfield as well. </p>
<p>*The US Men's National Team has a game against Poland in Chicago on Saturday, but neither Landon Donovan nor Edson Buddle will be with the team and are committed to play Thursday in Philadelphia. Via <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2010/09/Bradley-Names-20-Players-for-Upcoming-Friendlies-against-Poland-and-Colombia.aspx">ussoccer.com</a></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; font-size: 14px; color: #544d4d;">"We understand this is a critical point in the season for teams in MLS," said Bradley. "Given the circumstances, we felt it was important that the MLS players be given as much opportunity as possible to remain with their clubs and continue to make important contributions as the playoffs approach."</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; font-size: 14px; color: #544d4d;"> </span></p>
</blockquote>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-galaxy/2010/10/3/1728943/beckham-all-smiles-as-la-galaxy-defeat-chivas-usa-2-1Josie Becker2010-10-03T18:47:44-07:002010-10-03T18:47:44-07:00LA Galaxy Lead Chivas USA 2-0 In "Away" Match
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<p>The goals have come early and easily for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/los-angeles-galaxy">Los Angeles Galaxy</a> in this evening's match against crosstown rival <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://delete.sbnprivate.com/">Chivas USA</a>. Although it's not really crosstown since they share the same stadium, and it's not really a rivalry, since Chivas hasn't won a Classico match since 2007. </p>
<p><span>Edson Buddle</span> scored the first goal in the 23' off a long volley from <span>Michael Stephens</span> which was as close to textbook as one can get. Edson's finish, a shot across the keeper, was also a good looking goal. <span>David Beckham</span> decided to show up everyone in the 39'. Edson Buddle was held just outside the box giving Beckham the free kick. He hit one of his patented benders into the top right corner of the net, completely out of the reach of <span>Zach Thornton</span>. </p>
<p>There were other opportunities early. Beckham hit a shot high over the net in the 5' when the Galaxy were still looking a mite shaky. <span>Alan Gordon</span>, now of Chivas USA had one shot on goal as Chivas' lone striker, an attempt that went wide left in the 13' with only <span>Donovan Ricketts</span> to beat. Chivas captain <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110904/jonathan-bornstein">Jonathan Bornstein</a> also had an attempt in the 18' which was easily saved by Ricketts, who also saved a second Alan Gordon shot just before half time. </p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110934/landon-donovan">Landon Donovan</a> hasn't done much from the forward position, </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-galaxy/2010/10/3/1728846/la-galaxy-lead-chivas-usa-2-0-in-away-matchJosie Becker2010-10-03T17:12:31-07:002010-10-03T17:12:31-07:00Lineups For LA Galaxy v. Chivas USA
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<p><b>Los Angeles Galaxy (15-6-5, 50 pts)</b></p>
<p>1 Donovan Ricketts GK</p>
<p>28 Sean Franklin DEF</p>
<p>20 A.J. DeLaGarza DEF (Gregg Berhalter not available)</p>
<p>4 Omar Gonzalez DEF </p>
<p>2 Todd Dunivant DEF</p>
<p>23 David Beckham MID</p>
<p>11 Chris Birchall MID (Landon Donovan is at Forward, Birchall and Beckham have a chemisty)</p>
<p>19 Juninho MID</p>
<p>26 Michael Stevens MID</p>
<p>14 Edson Buddle FWD</p>
<p>10 Landon Donovan FWD - Captain </p>
<p><b>Chivas USA (7-14-4, 25 pts)</b></p>
<p>22 Zach Thorton GK</p>
<p>8 Mariano Trujillo DEF</p>
<p>23 Carlos Borja DEF</p>
<p>6 Ante Jazic DEF</p>
<p>13 Jonathan Bornstein DEF - Captain</p>
<p>11 Michael Lahoud MID</p>
<p>26 Paulo Nagamura MID</p>
<p>20 Giancarlo Maldonado MID</p>
<p>21 Ben Zemanski MID</p>
<p>17 Justin Braun MID</p>
<p>16 Alan Gordon FWD (Midseason transfer from Galaxy) </p>
<p><b>Subs:</b></p>
<p><b>LA:</b> Saunders, Cazumba, Marshall, Lewis, Bowen, Kirovski, Magee</p>
<p><b>Chivas USA: </b>Guppy, Cuesta, Espinoza, Padilla, Saragosa, Zizzo, Flores</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-galaxy/2010/10/3/1728746/lineups-for-la-galaxy-v-chivas-usaJosie Becker2010-10-01T23:47:52-07:002010-10-01T23:47:52-07:00Galaxy Take Staycation, Face Chivas In Away Match
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<p><i>Oct. 3rd 5 p.m. Home Depot Center, Carson CA (ESPN2)</i></p>
<p>The Los Angeles Galaxy (15-6-5, 50 pts.) come into what may well be the last match of the Honda SuperClassico as the top team in the league. Chivas USA (7-14-4, 25 pts.) sit on the edge of elimination, and may already be out of the running after Saturday's slate of games. But while this match may not mean too much to those outside Los Angeles, Chivas are going to be fighting for the only piece of hardware they can qualify for this year, and that means there are going to be fireworks at Home Depot Center on Sunday. </p>
<p>Missing for Chivas will be Michael Umana with a yellow card accumulation, and Dario Delgado is listed as questionable. </p>
<p>LA Galaxy won the first leg of the Classico 2-0 back in April. They lead the all time series 11-3-5. Chivas USA won back-to-back victories in 2007, but they haven't beaten the Galaxy since. The Galaxy has won 4 of those matchups, with four draws, including a 1-0 victory and a 2-2 draw in last years MLS Cup. The two teams met in three league matches last year, being shut out in all three. Edson Buddle was the man of the match last time, scoring a header off a Landon Donovan cross, then in the 87' he knocked home a Landon Donovan pass in close range. </p>
<p>Chivas USA have been shut out in their last two matches. They currently sit in 8th place in the west with 25 points. They've scored just three goals in their last seven games. The goats have also given up eight goals in their last four games. Alan Gordon, a fan favorite not known for his speed but his knowledge and his personality was traded from Galaxy to Chivas near the transfer deadline, and will be appearing in his first Classico in the red and white jersey. </p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-galaxy/2010/10/1/1725838/galaxy-take-staycation-face-chivas-in-away-matchJosie Becker2010-09-27T20:49:46-07:002010-09-27T20:49:46-07:00LA Galaxy Notebook, Week 27: Getting Ready For Chivas USA
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<p>The Galaxy have a pseudo home match this week, taking on Home Depot Center-mate <a href="https://delete.sbnprivate.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chivas USA</a> in the Honda SuperClassico. The game is on Sunday at 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2. The Galaxy will retain the SuperClassico title with a win or draw, and would also eliminate Chivas USA in the process. The Galaxy are unbeaten in their last seven matches with Chivas USA, going 4-0-3 over that stretch, eliminating them from the 2009 playoffs during their run. </p>
<p>Last week's loss against <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a> ended the Galaxy's three-game unbeaten streak, but the Galaxy remain in first place in the West and in the league, as <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Salt Lake</a> drew even with Colorado on Saturday. </p>
<p>Other notes:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<span>Gregg Berhalter</span> is still listed as questionable with a neck strain. Berhalter was first listed as questionable with a virus after the Galaxy's road game in New York. This was switched to neck problems before the Galaxy v Columbus match earlier this month. Bruce Arena has been vague when referring to Berhalter's condition and it's unclear what his status is, though he has made other professional appearances, coaching a girl's soccer team. </li>
<li>
<span>Dema Kovalenko</span> left in the last match in the 76' for <span>Tristan Bowen</span>, one of three injuries in the match, which were the main reason Beckham had to go all 90 minutes. His injury is listed as a right adductor strain, which is a hip muscle on the inner thigh. </li>
<li>
<span>Omar Gonzalez</span>'s suspension is complete, having been booked a league-high eight times this season. He has missed just two games this season, both for yellow card accumulation, and has played all 90 minutes in all the games he has appeared in. </li>
<li>David Beckham made his first start last Friday, with one shot on goal and a yellow card. He's likely to see fewer minutes as Arena looks to avoid fatiguing the international superstar. </li>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2010/9/27/2321695/la-galaxy-notebook-week-27-getting-ready-for-chivas-usaJosie Becker