CARSON, Calif. – It was pegged as the final SuperClasico, and it was only fitting that the last edition of the rivalry between the LA Galaxy and soon-to-be rebranded Chivas USA followed a familiar script.
Gyasi Zardes scored twice and Robbie Keane added a nifty goal off the bench to guide the Galaxy to a 3-0 victory against their cross-hall rivals Sunday afternoon at StubHub Center.
The Galaxy finished 20-4-7 all-time against the Rojiblancos, who are set to undergo a brand change this upcoming offseason.
Zardes gave the Galaxy, who have ascended to second place in the standings following a four-game winning streak, the lead in the 41st minute with a one-timed shot off a feed from Landon Donovan. The second-year striker then capped the scoring in the 71st minute following a dizzying give-and-go between Keane and Donovan, tapping home after a 10-pass build-up.
In between those goals Keane, who took the pitch in the 59th minute for Alan Gordon, controlled the game – and then put an exclamation point on it with the best goal of the match. After having a right-footed missile blocked by Dan Kennedy in the 65th minute, the savvy veteran mixed up his approach on the next opportunity, chipping a shot over Kennedy from well beyond the penalty area after beating Jhon Kennedy Hurtado with some fancy footwork.
It went from bad to ugly for the Goats in the 75th minute when star forward Erick “Cubo” Torres earned a straight red card for his studs-up tackle on Baggio Husidic. Torres, who is set to join the Mexican national team for their upcoming friendlies, immediately sprinted off the pitch and into the tunnel as a chorus of boos were heard from the pro-Galaxy crowd.
Last-place Chivas USA saw their scoreless streak extend to 546 consecutive minutes -- the worst drought in MLS this season. Their winless streak reached seven games.
Before the match, Chivas USA captain Carlos Bocanegra -- who missed his sixth consecutive game due to a concussion suffered July 20 -- presented former US teammate Donovan with a long board and surfboard as part of his retirement gifts. Donovan walked off the field in the 82nd minute to a standing ovation and chants of “One more year!” from the crowd of 18,652.
Up next for struggling Chivas USA is a home match against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night, while the Galaxy are set to close their season series with the Colorado Rapids on Friday at StubHub Center.
LA Galaxy 3, Chivas USA 0
Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014 – 5:00 p.m. PT
MLS Regular Season
StubHub Center – Carson, Calif.
Scoring Summary:
LA – Gyasi Zardes (Assisted by Landon Donovan) 35’
LA – Robbie Keane 67’ (Marcelo Sarvas) 68’
LA – Gyasi Zardes (Assisted by Landon Donovan) 71’
Misconduct Summary:
CHV – Andrew Jean-Baptiste (caution) 23’
LA – Baggio Husidic (caution) 35’
CHV – Erick Torres (ejection) 75’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Jaime Penedo; Dan Gargan, Omar Gonzalez, Leonardo, Robbie Rogers; Baggio Husidic, Juninho, Marcelo Sarvas (Rafael Garcia 74’), Landon Donovan © (Chandler Hoffman 82’); Alan Gordon (Robbie Keane 59’), Gyasi Zardes,
Substitutes Not Used: Brian Rowe, Todd Dunivant, Tommy Meyer, Raul Mendiola.
TOTAL SHOTS: 20; SHOTS ON GOAL: 9; FOULS: 11; OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 7.
Chivas USA: Dan Kennedy ©; Akira Kaji, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Donny Toia; Nathan Sturgis (Eric Avila 45’), Agustin Pelletieri (Marvin Chavez 70’), Nigel Reo-Coker, Leandro Barrera (Bobby Burling 78’); Felix Borja, Erick Torres.
Substitutes Not Used: Oswaldo Minda, Eriq Zavaleta, Trevor Spangenberg, Ryan Finley.
TOTAL SHOTS: 8; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 15; OFFSIDE:0; CORNER KICKS: 3.
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Referee’s Assistants: Peter Balciunas and Marco Arruda
4th Official: Tyler Ploeger
