CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy saw their two-game unbeaten streak in the MLS Reserve League snapped with a 2-1 loss to Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center on Monday. Hector Jimenez gave LA a 1-0 first half lead but Chivas USA scored twice in a three minute span early in the second half to claim the victory.
WATCH: Highlights & Postgame Reaction
Jimenez scored his team-leading third Reserve League goal of the season in the 25th minute to give the Galaxy a 1-0 advantage. Jimenez, who made his MLS debut last week in New York, forced a turnover in Chivas USA’s defensive third of the field and got the ball to Jack McBean, who played Jimenez in behind the Chivas defense. The rookie midfielder raced onto the pass and hit a right-footed shot past Zach Thornton in the Chivas goal for his second goal in his last three reserve games.
Despite controlling most of the possession in the first half, the Galaxy were unable to add to their lead and went into the halftime break with a 1-0 advantage.
That lead would last until the 58th minute when Marcos Mondaini leveled the game at 1-1 with his first Reserve League goal of the season. Jorge Flores earned the assist with a nice ball through for Mondaini, who fired his shot over a sliding Donovan Ricketts and into the back of the net.
Chivas USA would go in front just three minutes later as Victor Estupinan gave his side a 2-1 advantage, heading home a Michael Lahoud cross. Lahoud and Mariano Trujillo combined on the wing to free up Lahoud whose cross was met by Estupinan and headed past Ricketts for what would prove to be the game-winning goal.
This was the second and final meeting of the year between these two sides, with the Chivas USA also winning at The Home Depot Center back in May. The Galaxy, who are now 1-6-2 on the season, will play their final Reserve League game of the year on Tuesday, October 25 when they host the San Jose Earthquakes.
MATCH PHOTOS
LA Galaxy (1-6-2, 5 pts.) vs. Chivas USA (2-3-3, 9 pts.)
October 10, 2011 – The Home Depot Center
Scoring Summary:
LA – Hector Jimenez 3 (Jack McBean 4) 25’
CHV – Marcos Mondaini 2 (Jorge Flores 1) 58’
CHIV – Victor Estupinan 4 (Michael Lahoud 1, Mariano Trujillo 3) 61’
Misconduct Summary:
CHV – Mariano Trujillo (Yellow Card) 24’
LA – Hector Jimenez (Yellow Card) 67’
LA Galaxy – Donovan Ricketts; Chris Birchall (Javan Torre 88’), Dustin McCarty (Michael Stephens 67’), Dasan Robinson, Frankie Hejduk; Hector Jimenez, Jovan Kirovski, Dan Keat, Mike Magee (Paolo Cardozo 19’); Adam Cristman (Chad Barrett 46’), Jack McBean (Miguel Lopez 62’).
Subs Not Used: Brian Perk.
Chivas USA – Zach Thornton (Sergio Arias 46’); Mariano Trujillo, Andrew Boyens, Zarek Valentin, Jorge Flores; Blair Gaven, Marco Delgado (Eric Gonzalez 80’), Victor Estupinan; Marcos Mondaini (Laurent Courtois 68’), Michael Lahoud, Chris Cortez (Ben Spencer 72’).
Subs Not Used: Esteban Rodriguez.
Referee: Hector Perez
Asst. Referees: Eduardo Mariscal, Apolinar Mariscal
Fourth Official: Adrian Gonzalez
