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Donovan, Galaxy overpower Chivas

Apr 29, 2007 - 6:18 AM CARSON, California (Ticker) -- Until the summer arrival of David Beckham, Landon Donovan showed he can carry the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Donovan had a goal and two assists to lead the Galaxy to a 3-1 victory over Chivas USA in the year's first Super Clasico between the city rivals.

Kevin Harmse and Cobi Jones also scored as Los Angeles (1-1-1) picked up its first win of the season and extended its domination over the team that shares the Home Depot Center with it.

"Yes, he rises to the occasion, and he's very focused for this match," Galaxy coach Frank Yallop said of Donovan. "He scored a goal and had an assist, and he's off the mark, and hopefully he's ready to lead the team to victory next week."

Chivas (2-2), which had outscored its opponents, 6-1, through three games, fell into a quick 2-0 hole in the first 17 minutes.

That was a death knell for Chivas, which tumbled to 0-27-8 when allowing the first goal of the game.

"Very exciting game," Chivas coach Preki said. "We gave them two goals, and after that, it's pretty hard to come back."

Donovan put the Galaxy ahead to stay, capitalizing on a mix-up between Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Claudio Suarez to score an unassisted goal just 7:49 into the contest.

Guzan and Suarez collided while going for a seemingly harmless ball into the box and it caromed to a wide-open Donovan on the left side, and he booted it into an open net for his first goal of the season.

"You can't go down 1-0 10 minutes into the game," said Guzan, who dismissed talk of a language barrier as a reason for the collision. "No, not at all. I was just not quick enough to get out of the way. It was just one of those things. It hasn't happened in the last two years. I don't think it will happen again."

After goalkeeper Joe Cannon made the lead stand up with two brilliant saves on Alex Zotinca just 30 seconds apart, Los Angeles doubled the lead.

Canadian Kevin Harmse worked a give-and-go with Donovan, charging down the left wing and taking a perfect return touch pass from Donovan before beating Guzan inside the left post for his first MLS goal.

Chivas cut the deficit in half in the 63 minute as Suarez deflected a pass from Jesse Marsch past Cannon. Francisco Mendoza also earned an assist.

With Chivas taking control and applying, Donovan broke loose on a long run down the right side, hurdled a defender and slipped a beautiful crossing pass to a charging Jones, who poked it into the left side of the net at the 77:49 mark.

"I dedicated myself to the run from 18 to 18 (yard lines)," Jones said. "He (Donovan) played me a great ball, and I was able to finish it the first time."

Cannon finished with seven saves, many of the spectacular variety, as the Galaxy improved to 8-1-1 against Chivas over the past three seasons.

"Joe Cannon made his presence felt," Preki said. "In my view, we dominated the second half. It's hard not to say anything about the player coming off on the sideline, and steals the ball, and goes on a breakaway. Then, obviously, at 3-1, the game is over."

"I'm very excited to get my first win with the team," Cannon said. "Obviously, for me and for the team, getting our first win this year was important."

Guzan had six saves for Chivas.