CARSON, Calif. -- Thursday at The Home Depot Center, the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA battled their way to a 1-1 draw. Even after the teams combined for seven goals in their first meeting, the game was surprisingly wide open. More surprising -- even given the nature of derbies generally -- was how physical the game was.
A certain amount of physicality is normal in any game, especially one matching intra-stadium rivals. But the second SuperClasico meeting of the season more resembled a bunch of bulls in a china shop, running roughshod over one another. What kept the game from losing its flow and pace was that the referee let a lot of the play go.
Despite the fact that there were 34 fouls called -- 17 for each team -- there very easily could have been three times that number, as challenges were flying freely and often. It made for a chaotic feel to the match.
"The referee can't blow his whistle for every foul. I think it was a crazy game," said Ruud Gullit after the match. "I think for a coach it's a terrible game because the ball goes up and down. It's not supposed to go like that, but it did."
David Beckham, always one to play with his heart on his sleeve, was involved in more than one reckless challenge. In some instances he was the victim, in others he was the aggressor. He agreed with his coach that the physical play dictated the pace of the game.
"This week, some decisions that we thought should have gone our way didn't. But it's the same for both teams," said Beckham. "It's one of those things. It happens in soccer. Sometimes it affects the game in certain parts. Tonight it did."
It should come as no surprise that the game came with so many emotions. The rivalry between the two Los Angeles teams has heated up considerably the past two seasons, and the latest meeting was no exception. Both teams entered the match tied for first place. With the top spot in the Western Conferenc on the line, there was bound to be confrontation.
"It's always high emotions in derby games. Of course there's going to be confrontations between players and tackles," said Beckham. "That's part of the game. There's a line that you draw and don't cross. Every player tonight was professional enough to do that."
The Galaxy didn't manage to walk away from tonight's match completely unscathed. Ante Jazic went down with an injury in the first half after a hard collision Atiba Harris. The Canadian international was carted off the field with severe back spasms, forcing Gullit to shuffle his lineup early on.
"We had an injury tonight with Jazic. That was bad," said Gullit. "Suddenly you wonder what's going on because people are falling like flies."
Gullit was forced into several changes to his lineup before the game began. The center back pairing of Troy Roberts and Greg Vanney that started against Chivas was a result of training ground injuries to Abel Xavier and Sean Franklin during the week. In addition, Pete Vagenas got the nod over Alvaro Pires in a holding role, and David Beckham began the game in the center of the midfield, rather than his more traditional position on the right side.
"On Wednesday we had a full squad, and had a tactical game (in training). All of a sudden I had people who were getting injured," said Gullit. "Therefore we had to improvise. I think the players who played, like Troy and Greg did very good. Compliments to them and how they played."
The player who leveled the match was Edson Buddle, who has enjoyed his best MLS season in a long time this year. Buddle played so well that Gullit even tipped him for a national team call-up.
Even though the Galaxy saw their winless streak extended to four games, there were very few negative sentiments following the match. Gullit repeatedly praised his side's work rate, while Beckham cited the team's "character" in getting back into the match after going a goal down.
The heart LA showed against Chivas in an open and physical game, along with Buddle's continued form, give the Galaxy cause for hope their best soccer is still ahead of them.
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