CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy notched their first win of the 2014 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Chivas USA. LA now holds a 19-2-6 record all-time in regular season meetings against their cross-hall rivals.
LA GALAXY TERRORIZE CHIVAS BACK LINE
Turns out a match against Chivas USA is just what the doctor ordered for the LA Galaxy.
LA controlled the match from the opening whistle and finally pulled ahead in the 37th minute when a Dan Gargan header found Robbie Keane who deflected a shot past Dan Kennedy. Just minutes later, LA doubled their lead when Stefan Ishizaki fired a sublime chip over Kennedy for his first-ever MLS goal.
The finest attacking move came on the third and final goal as the Galaxy strung together six passes in the buildup of
Baggio Husidic’s confident strike from the edge of the box that sealed a 3-0 victory for the Galaxy.
MIDFIELD CHANGES AND DEFENSIVE INJURIES
For a second straight week, the LA Galaxy rolled out a midfield diamond and against Chivas USA the tactic paid major dividends.
Against the Rojiblancos, head coach Bruce Arena opted to use Baggio Husidic and Marcelo Sarvas out wide while Stefan Ishizaki and Juninho occupied the two points of the diamond. The move paid off as LA dominated possession allowing them to test the Chivas defense at will. The Galaxy’s defense was rarely tested with Chivas managing just a single shot on goal throughout the 90 minutes.
What may be more worrisome for the Galaxy were the two late defensive injuries as both Todd Dunivant (ab ailment) and Dan Gargan (apparent right shoulder) left the match. The issues occurred with A.J. DeLaGarza (ankle contusion) and James Riley (knee surgery) already out with injuries.
WHAT NOW FOR BRIAN PERK?
For the second consecutive week, Brian Perk earned the starting goalkeeper nod for the LA Galaxy as Jaime Penedo sat on the substitute’s bench.
Prior the match, word came down that Perk was given the starting role after a good week in training. Against the Rojiblancos, Perk was rarely tested as the goalkeeper made just a single save in the 3-0 victory. Perk did face an incredibly hard challenge in the waning moments as he crashed into Chivas USA second half substitute Adolfo Bautista as the Rojiblancos searched for their first goal of the afternoon.
Whether or not Perk can hold onto the position heading into next week’s home match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC remains to be seen, but the competition should be heated in LA training next week.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
