Final: Chivas USA 0 Galaxy 1

Here’s the way to look at this game – the other three late MLS games looked to be heading to 0-0 ties.

So in comparison, while this was no Clasico, let alone a SuperClasico, we did have goal. That gives the Galaxy a 6-2-6 record and a four-game undefeated streak and allows them to retain their Western Conference lead.

A workmanlike if relatively unspectacular showing from both teams.

Chivas USA have improved under Robin Fraser, they just haven’t improved enough – yet.

More later.

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Chivas USA are pressing forward in search of an equalizer with 10 minutes left in regulation time before an announced capacity crowd of 27,000 as the Galaxy cede ground to fall back and preserve the one-goal lead on the “road.”

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Miguel Lopez has replaced a mostly disappointing Chad Barrett up front for the Galaxy in the 71st minute.

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A Sean Franklin headed clearance in the 65th minute only went so far as Ben Zemanski on the 18-yard line and his shot hit the post. That’s the closest Chivas USA has come to a goal.

Seconds after the shot Chris Cortez replaced Justin Braun up front for Chivas USA.

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Midfielder Chris Birchall is on for Mike Magee for the Galaxy in the 64th minute.

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Panchito Mendoza has come on for Jorge Flores in the 58th minute. Let’s see if his dribbling style offers Chivas USA a little more in the way of penetration. Again, Chivas USA are finding it difficult to pierce the Galaxy’s midfield let alone get behind their back four.

Juninho shot wide for the Galaxy in the 59th minute.

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Chad Barrett set up on a breakaway by Juan Pablo Angel shot wide in the 49th minute with only the goalkeeper to beat. He knows he should have done better.

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Not a bad game.

The Galaxy are firmly in control of this one, however, with Chivas USA not managing to make much headway against the opposing midfield and finding scoring chances few and far between.

Chivas USA co-owner Jorge Vergara was in the press box at half time to talk to the media. The big news: Chivas USA are staying in LA. Beyond that, not much was said.

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Chad Barrett has put the Galaxy ahead in the 26th minute, his glancing header from seven yards out connecting with a David Beckham free kick from just outside the box. There was no Chivas USA defender within three yards of him. That’s the sixth assist of the season for Beckham; he’s now tied for the MLS lead in assists.

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Chivas USA’s Alejandro Moreno beat Omar Gonzalez to a long cross in the 23rd minute, but the former Galaxy striker’s shot from six yards out to the far post was cut out by Donovan Ricketts.

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The best Galaxy chance of the night so far ended with Chad Barrett setting up a rather timid Juan Pablo Angel shot in the 18th minute. Few clear cut chances for either team so far.

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Ten minutes gone and the Galaxy are stroking the ball around the field, maintaining possession well in the early stages of the game.

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SuperClassico weather here in Carson, so let’s hope for a game to match.

Fans are filtering into the grass berm; perhaps a larger crowd is in store than the fewer than 20,000 that took in the corresponding fixture last season.

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts returns from illness for the Galaxy this evening, while Juan Pablo Angel replaces Miguel Lopez (who is on the bench) up front in the only two changes for Coach Bruce Arena from the team that destroyed Sporting Kansas City 4-1 last weekend.

Galaxy XI: Donovan Ricketts-Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant,-Landon Donovan, Mike Magee, Juninho, David Beckham-Juan Pablo Angel, Chad Barrett.

There’s just one change for Chivas USA from the team that beat New York on the road last weekend, defender Andrew Boyens returning from suspension to replace Michael Lahoud, who like Jimmy Conrad is absent because of concussion.

Chivas USA XI: Dan Kennedy-Zarek Valentin, Andrew Boyens, Heath Pearce, Ante Jazic-Ben Zemanski, Simon Elliott, Nick LaBrocca,Jorge Flores,-Justin Braun, Alejandro Moreno.

The game is live on ESPN2.

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