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Galaxy Use Late Flurry For SuperClasico Win
The LA Galaxy killed off Chivas USA in the Honda SuperClasico with the help of a late goal and late red to Maykel Galindo.
Aug 30, 2009 4:06:56 AM
CARSON, Calif.--Deadlocked after 80 minutes of play, the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA were separated by the last 10 minutes in the Honda SuperClasico. In front of a full Home Depot Center, most of the 27,000 on hand cheered as David Beckham scored the game-winning goal in the 80th minute.
A long Todd Dunivent throw was headed out to the top of the box where Beckham finished coolly with a neat half volley that kissed the post on its way in.
“I knew I had to hit it down because it was bouncing awkwardly and sometimes it can end up in the back row,” the England international said of his first goal this season. “Thankfully it ended up in the back of the net.
“It wasn’t the prettiest game of soccer played but three points are three points.”
Chivas USA midfielder Paulo Nagamura held up his hands, admitting he was the player at fault for not picking up the Galaxy's designated player.
“I looked inside the area and I lost David for a couple seconds there,” Nagamura said. “When I tried to react he was already close to the ball and there was nothing I really could do. It was a good strike, give credit to him.”
Credit also goes to Dunivent, who send in the initial throw. Speaking to Goal.com after the match, the leftback explained how he practices long throws – by using a bowling ball.
“My older brother, I always used to watch his games and there was a guy on the team who had a long throw and I wanted to emulate that,” Dunivent said. “I used to take a basketball, which is heavier than a soccer ball and practice a lot with that. I even tried it with a bowling ball, but that's a little dangerous. I always thought it would be a weapon and it has been.”
Two minutes later, Maykel Galindo received a red card for elbowing Gregg Berhalter to effectively kill off the match. A goal and a man down, Chivas USA whimpered into the final minutes.
“He just elbowed me in the neck - that's a red in most games,” Berhalter said. “There was a lot of passion in the game. It was a derby match. We wanted to raise it up a notch and we did.”
Besides winning the SuperClasico for 2009, the Galaxy also moved into second place in the Western Conference, with only six games left in the Major League Soccer season.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
With additional reporting from Andrea Canales
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
A long Todd Dunivent throw was headed out to the top of the box where Beckham finished coolly with a neat half volley that kissed the post on its way in.
“I knew I had to hit it down because it was bouncing awkwardly and sometimes it can end up in the back row,” the England international said of his first goal this season. “Thankfully it ended up in the back of the net.
“It wasn’t the prettiest game of soccer played but three points are three points.”
Chivas USA midfielder Paulo Nagamura held up his hands, admitting he was the player at fault for not picking up the Galaxy's designated player.
“I looked inside the area and I lost David for a couple seconds there,” Nagamura said. “When I tried to react he was already close to the ball and there was nothing I really could do. It was a good strike, give credit to him.”
Credit also goes to Dunivent, who send in the initial throw. Speaking to Goal.com after the match, the leftback explained how he practices long throws – by using a bowling ball.
“My older brother, I always used to watch his games and there was a guy on the team who had a long throw and I wanted to emulate that,” Dunivent said. “I used to take a basketball, which is heavier than a soccer ball and practice a lot with that. I even tried it with a bowling ball, but that's a little dangerous. I always thought it would be a weapon and it has been.”
Two minutes later, Maykel Galindo received a red card for elbowing Gregg Berhalter to effectively kill off the match. A goal and a man down, Chivas USA whimpered into the final minutes.
“He just elbowed me in the neck - that's a red in most games,” Berhalter said. “There was a lot of passion in the game. It was a derby match. We wanted to raise it up a notch and we did.”
Besides winning the SuperClasico for 2009, the Galaxy also moved into second place in the Western Conference, with only six games left in the Major League Soccer season.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
With additional reporting from Andrea Canales
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
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