Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chivas USA: Live Blog

T-105: Welcome to the Live Blog between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA from the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. This is Week 3 of the 2013 Major League Soccer season.

Mar 13, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; The Los Angeles Galaxy celebrate after the game against C.S. Herediano at the Home Depot Center. The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated C.S. Herediano 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

My name is Jo-Ryan Salazar, the beat writer for the Los Angeles Galaxy on The View from Avalon, part of the Fansided Network. So glad to have you aboard. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, by the way. Slainte!

T-100: We’re gonna start with a little housekeeping, by the way. As previously reported, AEG has been taken off the market. The View from Avalon would also like to report that Tim Leiweke is stepping down from his post at AEG. From the Los Angeles Times…

"“He created the company. He grew the company. He operated the company. And in order to do that he became a political and philanthropic force,” said real estate developer Steve Soboroff, an early supporter of Staples Center.Leiweke, 55, declined to discuss his future. “Right now, I’m going to take a deep breath and enjoy life and then I’ll talk next week,” he said."

Yesterday, there were a plethora of draws. New York Red Bulls and D.C. United played to a scoreless draw, as did Sporting Kansas City and the Chicago Fire. The Columbus Crew and the San Jose Earthquakes played to a 1-1 draw, as did the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers.

T-95: The Montreal Impact continued their hotstreak with a 2-1 win over Toronto FC, while the Philadelphia Union got right and shut out the New England Revolution 1-0. Finally, FC Dallas defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-2 in a riveting Texas Derby game at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, Tex.

Some odds from Oddschecker…

Los Angeles 3/5
Draw 17/5
Chivas USA 6 

T-90: We are 90 minutes from kickoff here at the Home Depot Center. The stars are on the grass berm here at Victoria Street.

T-70: Adam Serrano brings up his three points:

1. SET THE TEMPO

As Chivas looks to punish the Galaxy physically, it’ll be important for LA to match the Rojiblancos’ intensity with plenty of their own. Expect the likes of Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas to set the tone early by challenging Minda and his midfield partner Edgar Mejia in an effort to frustrate Chivas and throw them into a defensive posture.

2. EXPLOIT THE GAPS

Call it a 3-5-2 or a 4-4-2, but one thing that has been prevalent through Chivas USA’s first two matches is the space created by their fluctuating formation. As the LA Galaxy look to earn a third straight win over their cross-hall rivals, exploiting this space will be vital.

3. POSSIBLE LINEUP CHANGES?

One player that looks likely to slide into the starting XI is midfielder Colin Clark, who was ineligible for the CCL quarterfinal, but enjoyed a strong game in the MLS regular season opener against the Chicago Fire. Clark’s speed could be particularly useful against Chivas as the Rojiblancos have struggled against speedy players so far this season.  Clark is not the only option as forward Jack McBean continues to contend for minutes after scoring an impressive goal in Wednesday’s win over Herediano.

T-65: Some bits and pieces from today’s match…

REFEREE: Ricardo Salazar. SAR (bench): Ian Anderson; JAR (opposite): Mike Kampmeinert; 4th: Alejandro Mariscal
MLS Career: 161 games; FC/gm: 26.9; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 46; pens: 58

DISABLED LIST: none

SUSPENDED: none

INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL-TIME (25 meetings): Galaxy 16 wins, 41 goals … Chivas USA 4 wins, 20 goals … Ties 5

AS GALAXY HOME GAME (13 meetings): Galaxy 9 wins, 25 goals … Chivas USA 2 wins, 11 goals … Ties 2

RETURN MATCHES: 6/23: Chivas USA vs. LA Galaxy, 8 p.m. PT (UniMas); LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA, 2 p.m. PT
(UniMas)

LAST YEAR (MLS): 5/19: CHV 1, LA 0 (Correa 72); 7/21: LA 3, CHV 1 (Keane 14; Donovan 48, 78 – Cardozo 52); 8/12: CHV 0, LA 4 (Keane 27; Juninho 64, 74; Gonzalez 83)

• The Galaxy won the final two meetings last year by heavy margins (3-0 and 4-0), and they’ve now won eight of the last nine league meetings dating back to 2009.
• Chivas won 1-0 last May 19 to snap a six-game Galaxy winning streak in the series and a Chivas 11-game winless run in SuperClásicos, their first victory against the Galaxy since Aug. 23, 2007.
• Coaches record: Bruce Arena vs. CHV: P12 W8 L3 D1 … José Luis Sánchez Solá vs. LA: first game

The LA Galaxy return to league play after a weekend off, opening the 2013 season with a 4-0 win against the Chicago Fire at The Home Depot Center on March 3. Chivas USA looked as if they could be on their way to a second consecutive defeat before storming back for a 3-1 win against FC Dallas on Sunday afternoon at The Home Depot Center.

Some bagpipes are playing in the background.

T-60: We are an hour away from kickoff from the final match of the weekend. Odds now from Oddschecker…

Los Angeles 3/5
Draw 64/19
Chivas USA 6

We should have a good crown here today at Victoria Street. Some quotes from the boss…

"“It’s early in the year, so I don’t know how much I can gather on their qualities and personnel,” Arena told LAGalaxy.com’s Larry Morgan. “The same could be said our team. It’s really early in the season to figure anybody out, and I think we need more time.“It’s apparent they’re an improved team. Their style of play is certainly different than it’s been in the past. We have to go out there and play well. We know it’s an emotionally charged game and it’s going to require us to play at our best for 90 minutes.”"

Lineups and more on the way here on the View from Avalon.

T-40: Both teams enter the pitch for warm-ups.

T-38: “You tend to see them more,” said Magee of Chivas during the week of the SuperClasico to Adam Serrano. “They try to show their faces more and make their presence felt and we’re doing the same. There are battles over weight machines in the gym and who gets there first and things like that.”

“They were in the gym for the first time I think and a lot of our guys couldn’t get in there,” said defender Omar Gonzalez. “That was a little bit different and kind of awkward. But we’re just looking toward Sunday.”

T-35: As is customary with every pregame, there is techno to go with a mix of pop. A little Calvin Harris.

T-34: “If we win, it’s a rivalry,” said Chivas USA manager Jose Luis Sanchez Sola, a.k.a. El Chelis. “We want to continue with this step. Next Sunday we only want to win the game. We are ready and I can feel my players eager to play on Sunday. ”

T-29: Lineups.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY

Manager: Bruce Arena

Record: 1-0-0

Colors: White tops with blue sashes, white shorts, white socks

1 Carlo Cudicini

5 Sean Franklin —- 4 Omar Gonzalez —- 20 A.J. DeLaGarza —- 2 Todd Dunivant

18 Mike Magee — 19 Juninho —- 8 Marcelo Sarvas —- 11 Colin Clark

33 Jose Villareal —- 7 Robbie Keane (C)

Substitutes:
22 Leonardo DEF
26 Michael Stephens MID
16 Hector Jimenez MID
21 Tommy Meyer DEF
12 Brian Rowe GK
25 Rafael Garcia MID
32 Jack McBean FWD

CHIVAS USA

Manager: Jose Luis Sanchez Sola

Record: 1-1-0

Colors:  Red tops with white vertical stripes

1 Dan Kennedy

3 Mario de Luna — 23 Joaquin Velasquez —- 2 Bobby Burling

15 Eric Avila —- 8 Edgar Mejia —- 30 Oswaldo Minda —- 13 Josue Soto

27 Jose Correa —- 11 Juan Agudelo — 9 Julio Morales

Substitutes:
10 Miller Bolanos MID
28 Tim Melia GK
7 Tristan Bowen FWD
14 Giovani Casillas FWD
31 Marvin Iraheta MID
20 Carlos Alvarez MID
5 Carlos Borja DEF 

T-25: Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy is fully aware of the rivalry’s implications here in the Greater Los Angeles area.

"“The SuperClásico has changed over the years,” Kennedy told cdchivasusa.com. “The Galaxy are coming off from a couple of championships, it’s a chance for us to show that we can compete with the best in this league. Obviously this is a huge game, not only for us as players and the organization but, it’s really important for our fans that we go out there and not only put out a great effort but get a result.”“I’ve had the opportunity to play in Chivas-America and Chivas- Atlas and all ‘clasicos’ are lived differently from any other game,” added Chivas defender Mario De Luna. “From the game to the people, when a ball is at stake, it’s fought to the max. Each rival gives their all and we have to be prepared; we know the Galaxy is a good team, they’re the current champions in the league and we know what we have to do to get the win.”"

T-15: Both teams conclude warmups. I kind of feel for the Angel City Brigade, who are a bit at odds with the goalkeepers on Chivas USA. It is apparently on here at Victoria Street. 65 degrees, partly cloudy, perfect football weather.

T-5 Player introductions now.

T-0: Both teams now enter the pitch. A decent Chivas USA contingent on hand today.

National anthem by Diane Pancel.

FIRST HALF START: 2:06 P.M. PT/5:06 P.M. ET

1′ – And we’re underway.

2′ – Here’s a throw-in for Los Angeles. That’s a foul on Juninho. Ricardo Salazar, as pointed out, is our head referee and is one of the better ones in the league. Free kick, Chivas. Taken short. Not a good one. This is A.J. DeLaGarza. Now Carlo Cudicini. Juninho now. Long pass. Out for a throw to the Goats.

3′ – But that is what LA’s ability can do. Goal kick, Dan Kennedy. Now a throw-in to Chivas. Jose Villareal watches that one go by him.

4′ – Oswaldo Minda now. Mario de Luna. Now a chance for Chivas. Too long. Goal kick to LA. Cudicini to take.

5′ – Mike Magee tries to stay onside, but it’s a bit costly as the Galaxy give up possession. Villareal now. Good defending from the midfielders of Chivas.

6′ – Another solid clearance. This is Jose Correa. Foul on Chivas.

7′ – Corner? No corner, Galaxy were offsides. Another bullet dodged by Dan Kennedy.

8′ – Omar Gonzalez with the restart. Not a good restart. Back come the Goats, with nothing to lose.

9′ – Dangerous opportunity for Chivas goes array. LA elects to slow it down. Gonzalez now. Back to Cudicini.

10′ – It looks like Chivas USA are playing some optimistic football at the moment, but they just can’t strike yet on the counter. Poor touch from Villareal.

11′ – Where was Robbie Keane heading that to? Chivas USA are winning possession at the moment.

12′ – I think LA need a change of plans. Have Robbie take the bull by the horns at this point. And Mike Magee is hurt.

13′ – Magee is going to be playing hobbled the rest of the way, it looks like. Goal kick to Dan Kennedy.

14′ – Here’s De Luna. And Villareal wins a throw. Collection for Dan Kennedy, and it seems Mike Magee will need to be subbed here.

15′ – Fifteen minutes in, and Chivas are doing well here, holding the Galaxy scoreless.

16′ – Throw-in, Los Angeles.

17′ – Now LA are getting some possession here, while Villareal is taking his lumps this afternoon. Edgar Mejia now for Chivas.

18′ – Substitution Chivas USA

IN 31 Marvin Iraheta

OUT 30 Oswaldo Minda

19′ – Cudicini with the collection. Colin Clark wins a restart. That chance went south in a hurry.

20′ – Too long a clearance. DeLaGarza now.

21′ – Corner for Chivas USA. Mejia to take. Magee with the clearance.

22′ – Oooh, this is trouble for the Goats.

Yellow card 31 Marvin Iraheta

Chivas USA

23′ – Too long for Clark, that will be a goal kick. Here’s a chance for Chivas but that fizzles out. LA also fizzle on the counter.

24′ – This is Iraheta. And another chance for Chivas is collected by Cudicini. Very timid shooting from Jose Villareal. Is he really ready for the big time?

25′ – A chance for the Galaxy, and Dan Kennedy collects.

26′ – Another of the Chivas players is shaken up. Joaquin Velasquez, it looks like.

27′ – Yellow card 5 Sean Franklin

Los Angeles Galaxy

Yeah, that was a terrible collision to commit. Easy yellow.

28′ – Set piece is cleared.

29′ – Now the pace quickens. Keane may have take the lead here. Kennedy again with the reset.

30′ – Another harsh challenge. Yep, this is quite the rivalry game. And now Jose Villareal gets shaken up.

31′ – No love is lost between these two sides, that’s for sure. Juninho to take this free kick. What a save from Dan Kennedy!

32′ – Great reaction from the Goats. And another yellow.

Yellow card 8 Marcelo Sarvas

Los Angeles Galaxy

33′ – Free kick now for Chivas. Goal kick off the second chance. What a half for both teams.

34′ – Too long for Todd Dunivant. No way that pass was going to reach him. This can go down as a moral victory for El Chelis so far.

35′ – 35 minutes in, no score. We’ve had a lot of draws this weekend; will this be another?

36′ – That is an awful cross inside the box. Easily sweepable.

37′ – Dan Kennedy really came off his line there. That FIFA 13 simulation must have been on his mind.

38′ – Back to Carlo Cudicini. Dunivant. Not a good cross.

39′ – Omar Gonzalez wins a restart. Robbie Keane is double-teamed.

40′ – Red card 23 Joaquin Velasquez

Chivas USA

41′ – Can this be a turning point for this game?

42′ – Juninho to take. Not a good free kick. Goal kick, Dan Kennedy.

43′ – Back to Kennedy after another ball possession battle. And another offensive sequence goes south for LA.

44′ – Free kick, Juninho. That is a bad free kick. Juninho, you’ve got work to do, my friend.

45′ – Substitution Chivas USA

IN 5 Carlos Borja

OUT 9 Julio Morales

This is some solid football from El Chelis’s club today. Three minutes of additional time.

45′ + 1′ – Goal kick, Carlo Cudicini.

45′ + 2′ – Robbie Keane is offsides. Goal kick, Kennedy.

45′ + 3′ – Halftime, and what a half. Of futility, that is.

Halftime

LOS ANGELES GALAXY 0

CHIVAS USA 0

SECOND HALF START: 3:11 P.M. PT/6:11 P.M. ET

46′ – The second half is underway. Bruce Arena may want to add some attacking spice to the lineup. We may be seeing some substitutions as well.

Substitution Chivas USA

IN 20 Carlos Alvarez

OUT 27 Jose Correa

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy

IN 22 Leonardo

OUT 11 Colin Clark

47′ – Not a good cross from Sean Franklin. He also has to be careful to, since he’s on a yellow. So now we have a backline of DeLaGarza, Gonzalez, Leonardo and Dunivant. So much for the Big Day Out for Colin Clark.

48′ – Juninho to take this free kick. Cleared. And Franklin is stymied yet again.

49′ – Keane. A through ball is cleared. Captain is going to be double-teamed all half.

50′ – Here’s DeLaGarza. Double-save from Dan Kennedy. That may be Save of the Week material right there.

51′ – Franklin now. And Dan Kennedy comes off his line to save.

52′ – Right now, some big-name club needs to free Kennedy and sign him to a contract. He deserves it. Just like how it happened with Brad Guzan.

53′ – Villareal is still caught ball-watching. So far, it’s still a 4-4-2 for Arena. The boss may want to consider 4-3-3 soon.

54′ – Marcelo Sarvas sweeps. And a free kick for LA. Taken quickly. Not a good shot from Juninho.

55′ – DeLaGarza clears for a throw-in to Chivas USA.

56′ – This is a very feisty performance from the designated visitors. Kennedy hoofs it. Back to Cudicini.

57′ – Leonardo with the lay off. A chance.

58′ – Corner for Juninho. He’s had a lot today, but no dice so far. Cleared after taken short.

59′ – DeLaGarza with another sweep. Too much pace for Jose Villareal.

60′ – Hour mark, and Los Angeles are playing a very discombobulated game. I like to call it the “Herediano Hangover.”

61′ – LA slows it down for a bit.

62′ – Corner for the G’s. And that is also wasted. Boy, what is going with Los Angeles at the moment? They are completely disconnected at the moment.

63′ – Ricardo Salazar blows his whistle for a foul. Tight match he has called so far. Another pass with too much pace.

64′ – Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy

IN 32 Jack McBean

OUT 33 Jose Villareal

65′ – Here’s a chance. Cleared again. Another cross is cleared. And another. This has been a comedy show of errors.

66′ – Lousy volley from Los Angeles. This isn’t looking good for the Galaxy, and readers, don’t be surprised if Chivas finally snap out of their funk.

67′ – And Jack McBean is getting his baptism by fire from the referees.

68′ – McBean wins a free kick.

69′ – And Magee slips and falls on the surface. Believe it or not, that actually looked dangerous.

70′ – Chivas on the break. And Chivas give up a goal kick.

71′ – Marcelo Sarvas does not do well with the ball on that sequence.

72′ – Here is Juan Agudelo. First time I’ve called his name. Fizzled.

73′ – Another good save from Dan Kennedy.  Back come the designated visitors. And Robbie Keane wins the argument there.

74′ – I think the Galaxy are making all of Costa Rica look puny in comparison. Back to Cudicini.

75′ – Good idea from Jack McBean, but that is wide left. Kennedy lets that one go for a goal kick.

76′ – There’s yet another wasted sequence from the Galaxy.

77′ – Shot misses for Sean Franklin.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy

IN 26 Michael Stephens

OUT 2 Todd Dunivant

78′ – And A.J. DeLaGarza is pushed out of bounds.

79′ – Routine collection for Dan Kennedy. Not really tested there. Here’s a corner for Juninho.

80′ – Take…two. Cleared.

81′ – Back come the Goats on the attack. And that is cleared. Galaxy waste the counter.

82′ – 19,117 in attendance today.

83′ – GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 32 Jack McBean

Poorly saved by Dan Kennedy there.

84′ – At the end of this match, if this keeps up, the View from Avalon will have a new nickname for Jack McBean, and it’s Beano.

85′ – A little bit of a delay here. Back to action.

86′ – Chivas now put on the pressure.

87′ – As for LA, they’re going to slow it down and maybe fancy their chances for a second.

88′ – Marcelo Sarvas is pushed. LA forced to sweep.

89′ – GOAL! Chivas USA 20 Carlos Alvarez

We have drama here at the Home Depot Center. Super sub Carlos Alvarez has punched home a late equalizer to make it 1-1.

90′ – Four minutes of additional time.

90′ + 1′ – Chivas will be content with a point here…

90′ + 2′ – That cross does not materialize. Goal kick, Dan Kennedy.

90′ + 3′ – Not a good pass. This looks like it’s going to be another draw.

90′ + 4′ – Yellow card 7 Robbie Keane

Los Angeles Galaxy

So much for luck of the Irish, eh? And…that’s a wrap.

FINAL

LOS ANGELES GALAXY 1
Jack McBean 83′ 

CHIVAS USA 1
Carlos Alvarez 90′ 

Thank you following the live blog here on The View from Avalon. Stay tuned for a recap of the action from today’s matchup.