CARSON, Calif. – Jose Erik Correa scored the lone goal as Chivas USA snapped a six-game losing streak against their across-the-hall rivals the LA Galaxy. It was their first SuperClásico victory in five years and their first home win in 2012.
The Rojiblancos struck in the 71st minute of play when Correa scored his second goal in two matches from the penalty spot after David Junior Lopes saw red for using his hand to block a shot on the line.
HIGHLIGHTS: CHV 1, LA 0
Chivas began the match with both of their midweek acquisitions, Danny Califf and Juan Agudelo in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, the Galaxy started the match without the services of David Beckham, Edson Buddle and Robbie Keane. Beckham and Buddle were placed on the bench by head coach Bruce Arena while Keane was absent due to right hamstring tightness.
Both sides had chances early in the half, but no one came as close as Miller Bolaños in the 34th minute, when he beat a Galaxy defender and fired a rocket from 25 yards out that rattled the right post.
Bolaños continued to cause trouble and felt he was unlucky not to earn a penalty in the 40th minute after he was clipped in the box by David Junior Lopes, only to see his shout waved off by referee Mark Geiger.
After struggling in the first half, the Galaxy flew out of the gate and in the 51st minute, the Galaxy had a pair of opportunities, the first a Pat Noonan shot that was pushed away by Dan Kennedy and then moments later, a near-post effort from Nakazawa that Kennedy did very well to get his body behind.
In hopes of livening up the action, both coaches made substitutions in the 60th minute as Arena injected Buddle into the lineup for Pat Noonan while Chivas boss Robin Fraser brought on Jorge Villafaña to replace Bolaños.
The move almost paid immediate dividends for the Galaxy as Donovan launched a pass from beyond midfield to Magee, who was alone on Califf, but lost possession before getting off a shot.
Postgame Interview: Sean Franklin
Although the Galaxy had looked to be gaining control, in the 70th minute, the pendulum swung Chivas’ way when Oswaldo Minda fired a looping cross into the box that caused a collision between Agudelo and Perk as both attempted to gain control. The miscommunication caused the ball to fall for Correa, who fired a shot into the outstretched arm of Lopes, resulting in a penalty for Chivas and a straight red card for the defender for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Correa’s first attempt was called back for encroachment, but the Colombian buried his second attempt for his second goal in two matches.
OPTA Chalkboard: Chivas USA resolute in defense
After the goal, the Galaxy immediately brought Beckham into the match with Chad Barrett following several moments later. With the Englishman on the field, the Galaxy began to control possession, but were unable to find the equalizer.
The victory was Chivas' fourth in the SuperClásico, but the Galaxy hold a healthy 16-5-5 lead in the series.
Both clubs face a short turnaround and will be in action on Wednesday as the Galaxy host the San Jose Earthquakes while Chivas travel to Red Bull Arena to take on the New York Red Bulls.
