Wed Jul 9 11:08:44 2008

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L.A., Chivas clash for top spot in West

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Carson, CA (Sports Network) - David Beckham said it was nice to score last week in Los Angeles' 2-1 loss to Eastern Conference leader New England but "it still means nothing."

Beckham's goal highlighted an explosive second half for the Galaxy, but another goal was what L.A. really needed to at least escape with a draw in a battle of conference leaders.

L.A. fell behind by two goals in the first half, but Beckham and second-half substitute Landon Donovan sparked an inspired performance after the break.

Beckham still felt the job wasn't completed.

"We have lost the game," Beckham said, "and that is the biggest thing."

L.A. gets a chance to bounce back in another clash of conference leaders, this time against Western Conference co-leader Chivas USA on Thursday in a battle of the teams that share The Home Depot Center.

The Galaxy will welcome the switch back to the Western Conference after going winless in three straight to fall to 1-5-1 against Eastern Conference foes.

Against Western Conference opponents, the Galaxy are unbeaten in seven of their eight matches (5-1-2). Donovan led the Galaxy to a 5-2 win over Chivas on April 26, scoring three goals and adding an assist.

Beckham knows how much Donovan, who leads MLS with 11 goals and eight assists, brings to the team.

"When he did come on [against New England] it changed the game and it set their players back because they know his pace and they know what he can do. It put us on the front foot and gave us opportunities to create chances," he said.

Chivas USA won its last match 1-0 over San Jose on Ante Razov's free-kick goal in the 88th minute to pull even with L.A. atop the standings.

"That's how our league is: you're always in it. Parity is what they want, and certainly I think they got it. It's not the greatest record, we know we're a long way from where we possibly could be once we get all our guys back, and so we'll just keep plugging away." Razov said.

Chivas has been dealing with injuries this season, most notably Maykel Galindo. He led the team with 12 goals last season. Luckily, Razov has found his scoring touch with two goals in his last two games.

If Razov can continue his success, Chivas' defense has been playing well enough to make one goal stand up on most nights.

Since allowing 13 goals in its first five games, Chivas and U.S. national team goalie Brad Guzan have allowed just six in his last eight matches. Guzan missed the 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake on June 14 because of national team duty.

Shutting down L.A., which leads the league with 33 goals, won't be easy though.