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Chivas USA-Galaxy Preview

Aug 28, 2009 - 5:44 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Chivas USA (10-8-3) at Los Angeles (8-4-11), 11:00 p.m. EDT

A major reason the Los Angeles Galaxy are better this season is their improved defense. Chivas USA knows all too well about that.

The archrivals will meet in the final edition of the SuperClasico on Saturday night when the Galaxy look to solidify their hold on second place in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles (8-4-11) has a two-point lead over Chivas (10-8-3) and Seattle for second place and the final automatic playoff spot in the West. The Galaxy are 6-1-2 in their last nine games, conceding only five goals in that span.

It's a far cry from 2008 when Los Angeles allowed a league-high 62 goals and missed the playoffs.

"The defense certainly is better than last year," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "I don't want to be too critical of the players who were here last year, but certainly this is a more veteran group of players that's obviously more experienced and a little more talented."

Los Angeles is 3-0-2 in its last five matches against Chivas, including a 0-0 draw and a 1-0 win in two meetings this year. That's a bad sign for Chivas, which has the third-lowest goal total in MLS with 23.

"For us this is a big game in so many ways coming up this Saturday, and we've got to make sure we are prepared," midfielder Jesse Marsch said. "We talk about being a mature team, what that means and how to handle games like this."

Galaxy superstar David Beckham will make his first 2009 appearance against Chivas and play at home for the first time since he was sent off Aug. 15 in a 2-0 loss to Seattle. Beckham returned from his one-game suspension and played the entire match last Saturday in a scoreless tie at D.C. United.

The Galaxy have failed to score in Beckham's last two matches after getting six goals in his first three.

"I'm (in) central midfield but I saw some spaces on the right, and the manager pushed me up towards the left with five minutes to go," Beckham said. "It's just about getting on the ball and supplying the forwards with balls."

Chivas could have backup goalkeeper Lance Parker in net for the second time in three games after starter Zach Thornton left Wednesday's 4-0 loss at Real Salt Lake at halftime after re-aggravating a right quad strain initially suffered July 29 in the MLS All-Star Game.

It marked the second 4-0 loss this month for Chivas.

"With a few games in hand on the Galaxy and Houston, we know that if we can win two or three in a row then we're in first place," midfielder Sacha Kljestan said. "We just need to throw this game away and be ready to have a big impact this Saturday against the Galaxy."