CHIVAS TAKES OPENER GUZAN MAKES KEY SAVE IN WIN CHIVAS USA 2, HOUSTON 1.

Byline: MATT ZIMMERMAN Staff Writer

CARSON -- Brad Guzan stood all alone, his next action the key in whether Chivas USA would win its first-ever playoff game, or finish blowing a two-goal advantage.

Houston midfielder Dwayne De Rosario calmly placed the ball on the penalty spot, 12 yards from the goal. De Rosario usually goes to his left on PKs, the Chivas coaches knew.

But this is the postseason, when players and coaching staffs regularly outsmart themselves.

Naturally, Houston's Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player candidate overthought his attempt, going to his right as both Guzan and Chivas anticipated. Guzan dove to make the save, preserving Chivas' 2-1 victory Sunday at Home Depot Center.

``It's just one of those instincts that you go with, in your gut, and luckily it worked out,'' said Guzan, who made nine saves.

Sunday was the second time a late penalty-kick situation affected the outcome of a Chivas USA-Houston game at HDC. On Aug. 26, Chivas led 3-2 when defender Jason Hernandez took down De Rosario in the waning minutes, but the referee waved to play on, denying Houston a penalty kick.

Sunday, De Rosario's through ball to Brian Ching resulted in a dead heat between Ching and Hernandez.

This time, the Dynamo got the call as Ching went down in the penalty area.

For Guzan, the save was the culmination of two seasons that often featured more heartbreak than triumph. He was the franchise's first-ever draft pick, going second overall before the inaugural 2005 season, and allowed 46 goals in 23 starts as Chivas won only four games.

This year, Guzan began the season as the starter before giving way to Preston Burpo and riding the bench from late May to early September. The 22-year-old fought back into the starting lineup, and with a chance to be the goat or the hero Sunday, he became the Goats' hero.

Chivas USA (1-0-0, plus-1 aggregate) took a 1-0 lead in first-half stoppage time on a free kick by Ante Razov after Juan Francisco Palencia was fouled right outside the goalbox. Razov, who led Chivas with 14 regular-season goals -- three in four games against the Dynamo -- nailed the attempt, making up for getting stifled by defender Wade Barrett on what seemed a sure breakaway goal in the 18th minute.

The 2-0 lead came in the 68th minute, and just in time to stifle the emotions of Juan Pablo ``Loco'' Garcia, who was playing his first game since spraining his knee Sept. 13. As Chivas prepared to take a free kick 35 yards from the goal, Garcia was subbed out for Chivas Rookie of the Year candidate Sacha Kljestan.

As he left the field, Garcia gave Kljestan an angry hand slap, then walked right by Bradley's outstretched hand.

Kljestan was perfect on the free kick, finding the head of Palencia for a goal and a 2-0 advantage. Palencia then ran to the corner flag and played it like an air guitar, emulating the heavy-metal music he enjoys.

Houston closed the gap in the 75th minute when Brian Ching scored between two defenders to make it 2-1.

Now the series returns to Houston for the second and final game, from which Chivas can advance with a win or tie.

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Chivas USA's Juan Francisco Palencia hugs teammate Claudio Suarez after scoring a goal against the Houston Dynamo.

Edna T. Simpson/Staff Photographer