Galaxy Continue to Dominate SuperClásico
Galaxy forward Edson Buddle has opened the 2010 campaign with 3 goals in two matches. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Galaxy forward Edson Buddle scored a pair of goals on Thursday night to lead the blue-and-gold to a 2 - 0 victory over Chivas USA in this year's first installment of the Honda SuperClásico.
Buddle scored his first goal only minutes into the first half, heading home a free kick from Galaxy forward Landon Donovan with authority, then doubled the lead in the closing minutes of the match, thanks again to another play by Donovan. However, the victory did not come easy for the Galaxy.
Despite dominating the first half, the Galaxy relinquished some of that control in the complementary half. Much of the final 45 featured end-to-end action from both teams, with the Galaxy seeming the more dangerous of the two sides. Chivas USA held their own, but for a second straight match, were unable to penetrate in the final third. Momentum started to shift more in the favor of the red-and-white as the final quarter of an hour approached, minutes after forward Maicon Santos entered the match.
Chivas USA utilized his presence to put heavy pressure on the Galaxy defense, but the blue-and-gold backline anchored by Leonardo and Omar Gonzalez held firm. Santos, however, would nearly make the Galaxy pay at the 80th minute. After a series of bounces and deflections in the Galaxy penalty box, the ball found its way to Santos' feet in front of an empty goal and only a handful of yards away from it. The tying goal seemed certain, but Santos somehow managed to skew his shot completely over the frame and the score remained at 1 - 0 in favor of the Galaxy. Only minutes later, Santos nearly tied it again when he managed to deflect a shot headed for the Galaxy goal. His deflection would go just wide and ended up hitting the outside of the side netting, once again leaving the scoreline unchanged.
The offensive focus left the red-and-whites vulnerable on the defensive end and Donovan would seize the opportunity it presented. Donovan beat the red-and-white defense to a ball down the left wing and thundered towards Chivas USA 'keeper Dan Kennedy with Buddle trailing and the Chivas USA defense in hot pursuit. Kennedy was forced to challenge Donovan, leaving his goal unattended, but rather than shooting, Donovan unselfishly dished it off to Buddle at the penalty spot to produce the second goal on the night.
Buddle's second wrapped up the scoring for the night and keeps the red-and-white winless against the blue-and-gold since 2007. It also helps keep the Galaxy perfect on the season with a 2 - 0 record (both by way of shutout), while Chivas USA is still seeking its first goal and points on the season with an 0 - 2 record (both shutout losses).