Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chivas USA: 6 Things We Learned

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy knew that they could not let Chivas USA get their hands on the Doug Hamilton Trophy just yet. After a 1-0 defeat to Robin Fraser's Goats in the first meeting, the Galaxy provided a much-improved performance, defeating Chivas USA 3-1 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

With the victory, the Galaxy improve to 9-10-3 (30 points) and are breathing down the necks of the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps. Chivas USA drop to 6-8-5 (23 points) but still have three games in hand over Los Angeles.

Here are six things we learned from Saturday's second leg of the 2012 Honda SuperClasico.

1. Landon Donovan Delivers with a Brace

If there is player that knows how to make Chivas USA lose sleep at night, it's none other than the Galaxy's very own Landon Donovan. In the 48th minute of play, the three kings were at work: David Beckham to Robbie Keane to Donovan on a breakaway that was onside. That made it 2-0 Los Angeles.

After Chivas USA pulled one back, Donovan was able to finish the third chance off a David Beckham corner in the 78th minute to complete his brace.

However, Donovan earned a yellow in the 53rd minute of play, meaning that he will not be available against FC Dallas next weekend. Even though this is FC Dallas we're talking about, Donovan's absence will make the outcome less certain, you can be sure of that.

2. Robbie Keane Breaks the Match Wide Open

As correctly predicted in the 10 Bold Predictions for this match, Robbie Keane would open up the scoring for Los Angeles. In the 14th minute, Juninho and David Beckham teamed up to find a streaking Keane, who slammed one past Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, who made three saves all match.

Keane also bagged an assist on the first Donovan goal. However, the Republic of Ireland international was capable of scoring more goals but remained as effective as Vancouver's Barry Robson was against the Galaxy last Wednesday.

3. Paolo Cardozo Gets His Revenge Against LA

Former Galaxy midfielder Paolo Cardozo, who was offloaded to Chivas USA in favor of David Junior Lopes, was able to create some space and send a rocket past Josh Saunders to make it 2-1 and cast some doubt in the Galaxy support.

It makes you wonder why this has become a recurring theme: former Galaxy players scoring on their old team. We all saw this with Alan Gordon. And now Paolo Cardozo. Who's next: Chris Birchall of the Columbus Crew?

4. Chivas USA Undone by Poor Finishing

Both teams were guilty of not having the finishing touch, but it was Chivas USA that felt the brunt of not getting the job done. Up until Saturday, Chivas had not lost a match in nine outings.

“[The Galaxy a]re a good enough team that they don’t need any help,” Chivas coach Robin Fraser told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “If we make critical mistakes at critical points, they’re certainly good enough to capitalize.

“It definitely feels like a self-inflicted wound. For the rest of the half we had moments where we just turned the ball over in bad spots, kept ourselves under pressure.”

Never mind that Chad Barrett-esque finishing from the likes of Juan Pablo Angel served as a clear reminder as to why LA were right to send him packing midway through last season.

5. A Chippy Match, with Plenty of Cards and Fouls

Match referee Jorge Gonzalez was unafraid to issue fouls and cards. Gonzalez called 30 fouls and five yellows on both teams, thus playing his part in adding fuel to this SuperClasico leg. Chalk up another correct Bold Prediction.

6. Hope Springs Eternal for FC Dallas

FC Dallas is the next opponent the Los Angeles Galaxy will face in league play, and if you're a long-suffering Hoops fan, the Donovan absence will be a breath of fresh air. Of course, FC Dallas fans would have liked to see all three DPs sidelined, but life's not fair in love and soccer.

The Donovan suspension is going to definitely make the outcome a bi closer. How close? You'll have to find out in the next 10 Bold Predictions later this week on Bleacher Report and the View from Victoria Street.