CHIVAS USA NOTEBOOK: CHIVAS TAKES ON THE OTHER NEW TEAM.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer

There is no denying that Chivas USA has been humbled during its first month in Major League Soccer.

After a 3-1 loss to the Galaxy, Chivas president/co-owner Antonio Cue - who lost a bet to Galaxy president/general manager Doug Hamilton - sported a green hairdo and wore a Galaxy jersey at a news conference.

What was billed as a ``Clasico'' between the two hometown clubs was quickly dismissed by Galaxy star Landon Donovan.

``(Chivas needs) to get better first, before we really call it a 'Clasico,''' Donovan said.

Chivas players have used terms like ``snake-bitten'' and ``unlucky'' in describing their first few weeks of action, and that was the case again Saturday when New England's Clint Dempsey scored an 88th-minute goal in a driving rainstorm for a 1-0 victory, leaving Chivas the only winless club in MLS.

Chivas (0-4-1) plays host to MLS's other expansion club, Real Salt Lake (1-2-2), Saturday at Home Depot Center.

``We're not in any kind of panic mode,'' coach Thomas Rongen said. ``Everyone understands this is a marathon and not a sprint. If you look at what we've done from week to week, there's been a lot of progress. What we've got to do now is translate that progress into a few victories.''

With the Galaxy and FC Dallas expected to battle for the conference crown, Chivas likely will contend with San Jose, Colorado and Real Salt Lake for the third and fourth playoff spots.

--Guzan looks good, finally: Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who had been singled out after allowing 11 goals in the first four games, made several breathtaking saves in a fine performance Saturday.

``He (Guzan) was unbelievable,'' said Rongen. ``For him to bounce back after giving up a lot of goals in previous games was huge and very gratifying for us.''

Fred J. Robledo, [phone]

fred.robledol(at)sgvn.com