• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Chivas looks to remain perfect vs. Galaxy

Apr 10, 2009 - 9:37 PM By Matt Becker Stats Senior Writer

Chivas USA (3-0-0) at Los Angeles (0-1-1), 10:30 p.m. EDT

CARSON, California (AP) -- Although CD Chivas USA is undefeated, it's not going overlook its winless crosstown rival.

Chivas looks to extend the best start in franchise history with its fourth victory Saturday, when it plays the Los Angeles Galaxy in the SuperClassico.

Since Chivas (3-0-0) entered MLS in 2005, Los Angeles (0-1-1) has dominated the series with its city rival, but that trend could be changing.

Chivas is one of only two teams to win all of its games this season and comes into the SuperClassico brimming with confidence. Chivas, which is tied atop the Western Conference with expansion Seattle, defeated defending MLS Cup champion Columbus, 2-1, on Sunday to improve to 3-0-0 for the first time in franchise history.

Los Angeles is taking notice of its rival's accomplishments.

"Clearly in this moment, they've passed us," Galaxy forward Landon Donovan told the team's official web site. "They're very confident and feeling good about where they're at. I've watched probably all but a few minutes of all their games, and they're getting a little bit of luck right now and also playing well. You combine those, and that means you usually win games."

On Sunday, Chivas' Eduardo Lillingston broke a tie in the 50th minute with a goal off a rebound from a Shavar Thomas header that bounced off the post. In a 2-0 win at FC Dallas on March 29, Lillingston scored his first career MLS goal.

"The important thing is to win," Lillingston said. "The team is on a good streak, and I'm happy to keep scoring for the team and for the fans."

Extending the winning streak won't be easy, though.

Chivas is just 3-8-4 all-time versus the Galaxy and went 0-1-2 against them in 2008.

"It's one of the biggest rivalries here and will soon be recognized worldwide," Thomas told Chivas' official web site. "Records don't matter. It's a derby. They're going to come out to win, and we're going to do the same."

The Galaxy lost, 3-2, to Colorado on Saturday after tying D.C. United, 2-2, in their season opener March 22.

On Saturday, Los Angeles fell victim to the second-quickest goal in MLS history - 16 seconds into the game by Colorado's Conor Casey - and was forced to play with 10 men after Dema Kovalenko received a red card for sliding into Mehdi Ballouchy's right leg in the 59th minute.

The Galaxy hope to bounce back and avoid going without a victory in their first three games for the first time since opening 0-3-0 in 2003.

They've had a lot of success in setting the tempo in the SuperClassico, winning the first meeting of the season each of the past four years. In the first meeting of 2008, Donovan scored three goals and Alan Gordon added two in Los Angeles' 5-2 victory.

"I've heard (the SuperClassico) was a huge game," Galaxy rookie defender Omar Gonzalez said. "We're both here, the same city, the same stadium, almost the same practice facility. Chivas is perfect right now and we need a win. This would be a great win for us."