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Galaxy forward Landon Donovan put in a memorable performance. It was as though he were possessed and showed the sometimes rare emotional side to his game.

From early on, Donovan took it to the Chivas USA defense. In the eight minute he received a yellow card after a foolish and blatant hand ball which he put into the back of the net. Appropriately so, the goal was disallowed and play continued with the score still at zero.

At the eighteenth minute, the Galaxy earned a free kick on the right side of the field, about thirty yards from goal. Beckham swung the ball into the top of the box, but it was headed out by Chivas USA defender Claudio Suarez. After a series of bounces -- and what appeared to be a hand ball by Galaxy midfielder Brandon McDonald -- the ball found its way to Donovan who put a hard shot past the diving Chivas USA 'keeper Brad Guzan.

A little over a quarter hour later, it seemed the Galaxy were about to extend their lead further when Donovan put a pass into Mike Randolph, streaking in on the left past the Chivas USA defense. Randolph did not hesitate and fired a one time shot on Guzan, but Guzan was equal to it and kept Randolph off the score sheet.

The game progressed with opportunities for each side.

As the teams entered the thirty-eighth minute, Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan received a pass from Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein and found himself nearly unmarked. He attacked the Galaxy goal and released a wicked shot from the left corner of the penalty area. The perfectly placed shot curled just enough to bend into the top right corner of the Galaxy goal, past Galaxy 'keeper Steve Cronin bringing the teams even at one.

Kljestan then foolishly ran towards the Galaxians supporters group section to celebrate, inciting not only a series of loud boos and whistles, but also making himself a target for a myriad of objects from the area in general.

At the forty-fourth minute, Galaxy forward Edson Buddle got a golden opportunity to put the Galaxy ahead again when Donovan found him at the top of the box after having received a pass from Galaxy defender Chris Klein. Buddle seemed to have dribbled himself out of the opportunity of a shot, but managed to fend of the Chivas USA defense and get the shot off, however, it sailed over the crossbar.

The second half began with the same lineups that ended the first half.

Chivas USA nearly put themselves ahead when Beckham made a rare bad pass in the Galaxy side of the field. The pass fell to Chivas USA forward Justin Braun who headed it to Chivas USA midfielder Francisco "Pancho" Mendoza just inside the Galaxy penalty box. Mendoza aimed for the far post, but was too precise, as he hit the post and the ball bounced back. The ball ricocheted off of Chivas USA midfielder Jesse Marsch and back towards goal before eventually going out of bounds for a goal kick.

For the Galaxy, Randolph and Donovan's speed proved to be too much for the Chivas USA defense. Randolph would routinely make his way up the left wing, while Chivas USA defenders Shavar Thomas and Claudio Suarez were unable to contain Donovan in the middle.

In the fifty-eighth minute, Randolph received a pass from Vanney and broke in on the left wing. He sent a diagonal pass toward the penalty spot where Donovan picked it up, then battled Suarez for control. Suarez fell to the ground and Donovan followed him, but not before managing to get his shot off and putting into the back of the net, making the score 2 - 1.

Some drama would then ensue...

At the sixty-first minute, Chivas USA (and former Galaxy) midfielder Paulo Nagamura was called for a foul just outside the penalty area, an area that is highly suitable for one of Beckham's trademark free kicks. Beckham delivered an impressive kick towards the top right corner of the Chivas USA goal. It got past 'keeper Guzan and dipped at the last moment. However, it did not dip enough and missed by inches, keeping the score at 2 - 1.

The miss only served to momentarily overshadow the fact that the Galaxy defense was appearing a bit disorganized. They were showing fatigue and the Galaxy midfield was experiencing difficulties retaining possession and feeding the forwards.

Chivas USA (and former Galaxy) forward Ante Razov, who had come into the game shortly before Donovan's second tally, quickly took advantage of the situation. Razov capitalized by picking up a loose ball in front of the Galaxy goal after the entire Galaxy defense was unable to clear it from danger. Caught completely out of position, 'keeper Cronin did not have a chance and the score was once again tied.

The sixty-eighth minute nearly produced the go ahead goal for Chivas USA when Bornstein received a pass on the left wing and sent a cross towards the Galaxy penalty spot. Razov managed to get his head on it, but his redirection went over top of the cross bar. This would prove to be the last of their opportunities on the night.

Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit immediately sent in reinforcements to help settle the team. He replaced Buddle with forward Alan Gordon to provide a bigger target up top that could win balls in the air and hold the ball long enough for the midfield support to arrive.

Five minutes later, Gordon found himself on the score sheet. Chivas USA defender Lawson Vaughn failed to make a clean clearance of a Donovan cross into the penalty area. Instead, Vaughn popped it up only a few yards away in front of his own goal. Gordon jumped to head the ball and beat 'keeper Guzan to it. The ball got past Guzan and the game was now 3 - 2 in favor of the Galaxy.

The Galaxy began to assert almost complete control over the game minute by minute. One touch passing combinations became more commonplace and Chivas USA increasingly found it difficult to win the ball back.

Before the celebrations for the third goal could be wrapped up, Gordon showed his holding abilities and the reason why Gullit put him in. Chesting a long pass from Vanney in the Galaxy defensive side, Gordon fended off a Chivas defender to control and release the ball to the attacking Donovan. Donovan then maneuvered into an open spot and sent it past Guzan to make it 4 - 2. Donovan completes the hat trick for the night!

The crowd grew louder and they sensed there was still another goal left in the game. By now, the Galaxy nearly owned the game. Chivas USA was unable to retain possession in the midfield while simultaneously struggling to take it back. Chivas USA defenders Shavar Thomas and Claudio Suarez seemed exhausted, each easily falling a number of times and seemingly unable to cope with having to deal with the speedy combination of Donovan and Randolph throughout the game and now, having to deal with Gordon's physical presence.

Just when it seemed like the fifth goal might not come, Donovan charged through the middle of the field, then sent a pass to Beckham to further extend the play. Beckham did his part, bringing possession into the penalty box before releasing back to Donovan a bit to the right of the penalty spot. Donovan directed the ball towards the far post with a half-shot/half-pass maneuver. The Chivas USA defense was unable to contain Gordon and he pounced on the ball directly in front and scored his second of the night.

All in all, this game delivered on what most soccer fans expected. Hopefully some of you new to the sport got a chance to catch it on TV or better yet, live.

Highlights can be found here.

If not, the next installment of the three game series is July 10.

Get your tickets early because it is sure to sell out as well!

Photo by Angel Magaña/LAist