Apparently, one Superclasico win wasn’t enough for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2009.

In a match that delivered the type of grit and persistence that was to be expected in the final leg of the two-match playoff between the Home Depot Center rivals Galaxy and Chivas USA, perhaps it was only fitting that it would come down to one moment.

Sure enough, it was Landon Donovan who provided that moment for the Galaxy, as his penalty shot in the 73rd minute was all the Galaxy needed to once again and Los Angeles hold off a feisty Chivas USA squad 1-0 on Sunday evening.

“That was certainly a great win,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. “It was a game like most playoff games, where it was going to come down to one or two plays.”

The Galaxy advances to the Western Conference final, where they will once again play the role of host team on Friday night. The only team standing between them and a trip to Seattle for the MLS Cup final on November 22 is the Houston Dynamo, which needed extra time to eliminate Seattle Sounders FC 1-0 earlier in the day. Chivas USA meanwhile is left to contemplate its fourth straight first round playoff exit.

“The Galaxy made one play,” Chivas USA head coach Preki simply said.

After several missed chances, the Galaxy finally caught its big break in the 71st minute. It started when David Beckham sent a long ball towards a streaking Landon Donovan. Donavan then played a ball to Mike Magee in the box, but Chivas defender Yamith Cuesta went a little overboard trying to pry the ball away from Magee and as a result, Magee was fouled harshly, awarding the Galaxy a penalty.

Of course, awarding a penalty to the Galaxy is pretty much conceding the goal before you’ve officially conceded the score given Donovan’s reputation as a sure money PK taker, and Donovan lived up to the billing, beating Zach Thornton to the middle.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” Beckham said. “We knew if we defended well, we would get our chances, especially when you’ve got players like Landon.”

Los Angeles held on the rest of the way, but you know it wouldn’t be a Superclasico without even the slightest moment of controversy, and it happened right after the final whistle blew, as Chivas USA head coach Preki appeared to go after a Galaxy member. Sure enough, both benches intervened, players had to be separated, but fortunately, nothing serious appeared to have occurred.

The Galaxy controlled the match in the first half, creating the majority of chances. Just two minutes in, Chris Klein crossed a ball to Donovan in the box, but couldn’t get enough on the header and Zach Thornton ended up with the easy collection. Four minutes later, Edson Buddle played a ball to an open Donovan on the left side of the box, but Thornton got enough of his hand on the shot to redirect the ball out of play.

The Galaxy continued to apply the pressure in the first half. Beckham sent a ball in from 20 yards out towards Edson Buddle, but Buddle’s header was easily stopped by Thornton. The Galaxy got a couple more good looks in the 34th and 35th minutes, both 20 yard shots from Beckham and Klein. Beckham’s attempt sailed over the crossbar and Klein’s attempt was denied by Thornton.

“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Galaxy defender Sean Franklin said. “We knew (Chivas USA) were going to come out with a whole lot of energy. We just had to match their intensity.”

Even though the Galaxy dominated possession in the first half, Chivas did mount a few threats whenever it did have the ball. Chivas’ first good look came in the 16th minute when Jesus Padilla crossed a ball to Justin Braun, but his header went wide right. Chivas had several more good looks at goal, the first in the 37th minute when Maicon Santos collected a loose ball at midfield and literally went around Omar Gonzalez. Santos broke for goal, making it near the box, but his shot attempt hit the wrong side of the left net. A minute later, a shot attempt by Sacha Kljestan following a Galaxy turnover went wide left.

Match Facts

Los Angeles Galaxy 1, Chivas USA 0
November 8, 2009, The Home Depot Center

Scoring Summary
Landon Donovan, penalty kick, 73.

Lineups:
Chivas USA
Zach Thonrton, Carey Talley, Yamith Cuesta, Shavar Thomas, Jonathan Bornstein, Michael Lahoud (Eduardo Lillingston 76), Paulo Nagamura, Jesus Padilla (Mykael Galindo 60), Sacha Kljestan, Maicon Santos (Jorge Flores 84), Justin Braun.

Substitutes not used: Jon Conway, Ante Jazic, Mariano Trujillo, Marcelo Saragosa.

Los Angeles Galaxy
Donovan Ricketts, Sean Franklin, Gregg Berhalter, Omar Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant, Chris Klein (Jovan Kirovski 67), David Beckham (Alan Gordon 78), Dema Kovalenko, Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle, Mike Magee (Eddie Lewis 86).

Substitutes not used: Josh Saunders, AJ DelaGarza, Yohance Marshall, Bryan Jordan.

Referee: Ricardo Salazar
Assistants: George Gansner, Kermit Qusienberry
Fourth official: Alex Purs
Attendance: 27,000
Weather: Clear, 64 degrees.
Time of Game: 1:54