Fri Jul 11 01:44:27 2008

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Goats, Galaxy battle to draw in L.A. derby

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Carson, CA (Sports Network) - Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy battled to a 1-1 draw in the second installment of the Super Clasico on Thursday night at The Home Depot Center.

After the draw the teams are still tied atop Major League Soccer's Western Conference table with identical 6-4-4 records, meaning it could be a three-way tie at the top if Colorado beats San Jose on Saturday.

The draw also means that L.A. is winless in its past four league fixtures, while Chivas USA is unbeaten in its last four.

The Goats went up 1-0 early in the first half on Ante Razov's 113th career MLS goal. Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who was announced as an all-star starter earlier in the day, had a great individual effort on the left side, dribbling through two defenders before feeding Razov at the top of the L.A. penalty area on the chance. The veteran made no mistake, firing a perfect shot into the top left corner of the net just past the fingertips of the outstretched Brad Guzan.

Chivas looked like it had firm control of the game until late in the second half when David Beckham, who also will be an all-star starter, found Peter Vagenas from the right side. Vagenas took one touch to forward Edson Buddle making a run in the box before the New York native fired through Guzan's legs for his 11th goal of the season in the 72nd minute.

Buddle is now tied with teammate Landon Donovan for tops in the league in that category.

Despite numerous chances down the stretch for both sides, including a Kljestan header off the post and a Carlos Ruiz point blank shot saved by Guzan, the game remained scoreless the rest of the way.

L.A. will be back in action July 19 when it travels to take on the New York Red Bulls while Chivas USA is off until Aug. 2 when it travels to Chicago for its next league fixture. The Goats open their SuperLiga schedule on Sunday vs. Pachuca, however.