Memorable SuperClásico Playoff Finale for L.A. Soccer Fans

Donovan would put 2009 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Zach Thornton to work early, forcing him to make a save on his 2nd minute header. A handful of minutes later, Donovan was back with a great run down the left, but this time around he hit the side netting. His early chances at goal were a great reflection of the match as a whole: fast and furious, with the Galaxy controlling most of the first half.

Chivas USA opened their shot count at the 16th minute via a header by Maicon Santos. His dangerous header was the result of a botched clearance attempt by Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez and bounced just wide right of the Galaxy goal. Teammates Jesus Padilla and Justin Braun took additional cracks at the Galaxy goal through the first 35 minutes, but neither was able to beat blue-and-gold 'keeper Donovan Ricketts, who again put in another strong performance, including a great finger tip save on Braun's shot.

The blue-and-gold then took control for the majority of the final minutes of the first half following Braun's strike. David Beckham would get a clear shot at goal from the top of the penalty area after a series of volleys and bounces near the Chivas USA goal, but his blast sailed way high. Chris Klein would follow it up with the best opportunity of the half for the Galaxy and only seconds later. Klein had found himself at the receiving end of a great cross from Donovan out on the right wing and he blasted one home. Klein's shot was perfect, but so was Thornton's reaction, whose great one-handed save kept the score level. Sacha Kljestan would counter for the red-and-whites only minutes later with a great long distance shot of his own, but he too was unable to break the deadlock before the end of the half.

As the match wore on, the pace of the game became even more torrid and a bit rough at times. Galaxy midfielder Dema Kovalenko set the tone early on with his aggressive play at the start of the match and was fortunate to not have earned a yellow on a couple of occasions. Chivas USA midfielder Paulo Nagamura matched Kovalenko's intensity and the defensive four for both sides put in solid performance as both clubs refused to give an inch.

Red-and-whites captain Carey Talley rallied his troops as they looked to get a goal early in the second half. Chivas USA Head Coach Preki Radosavljevic tried to build on the shift in momentum bringing in Maykel Galindo. Chivas USA pressured the Galaxy defense, but were unable to capitalize despite their opportunities, including a cross from Santos to Galindo that rolled across the mouth of an open Galaxy goal.

On the other side, Beckham and Donovan increasingly exploited the space created by the shift in strategy by the red-and-whites, leading to some great scoring opportunities for the Galaxy, but Thornton and company held the fort down. At the 70th minute, Beckham would put in a wonderful, curving 40 yard pass into a streaking Donovan who then found a wide open Mike Magee just outside the 6 yard box. Chivas USA defender Yamith Cuesta tried to shut him down quickly, but was rather reckless in doing so and ended up committing a hard foul on Magee. Referee Ricardo Salazar did not hesitate and immediately pointed to the penalty spot.

Donovan converted it at the 73rd to give the Galaxy lead, but the game was far from over. Galindo nearly tied it only seconds later as the red-and-whites ratcheted up the pressure and refused to give in. Beckham nearly made them pay for it minutes later, once again putting in another great long distance pass to Donovan, but the Chivas USA defense recovered in time to deny him.

In the end, the Galaxy managed to hold on to the 1 - 0 lead despite a barrage of corner kicks and pressure on their defense in the final minutes. The victory -- the Galaxy's first playoff win since 2005 -- advances the blue-and-gold into the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Dynamo on Friday night at the Home Depot Center.