GALAXY BEATS CHIVAS : GALAXY 3, CHIVAS 1.

Byline: Richard Gonzalez Staff Writer

While the most popular of party hosts were nowhere to be found Wednesday night, a festive Rose Bowl crowd of 14,106 - mostly of Latino descent - managed to find plenty to cheer about.

From the continued solid play of the Galaxy to the welcomed appearance of Chivas, right down to word of Mexico's victory over Brazil in the Confederations Cup several thousand miles away, it was a time for celebration.

In the exhibition match at the Rose Bowl, the Galaxy upended Chivas de Guadalajara 3-1 in a game marred by the absence of several top players for both sides.

The Galaxy opened a 2-0 lead on a superb individual effort by Ezra Hendrickson for a goal early in the second half, then withstood a Chivas goal in the 73rd minute by countering with one of its own down the stretch.

It was the Galaxy's second victory in as many chances against the popular Mexican club team. L.A. defeated Chivas (on penalty kicks) in a 1997 exhibition in Chicago.

Neither Cobi Jones nor Robin Frasier played for the Galaxy, having just returned from national team duty. Both represented the U.S. in Tuesday night's third-place game at the Confederations Cup. Popular striker Carlos Hermosillo, still nursing a strained lower back, also opted to rest as a precautionary measure.

``We'd like to win every time out by going all out with our people,'' said Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid, who made six substitutions at halftime. ``We have a long haul right now. If we can make use of our depth to get through this stretch, we will take full advantage of that.''

Chivas was also at partial strength. Defenders Claudio Suarez and Joel Sanchez were playing for Mexico against Brazil while the trio of Luis Garcia, Alberto Coyote and Oswaldo Sanchez left Galaxy officials red-faced by not making the trip. The threesome is expected in town for Sunday's qualifying of the Libertadores Cup at the Coliseum.

L.A. opened the scoring in 25th minute, with rookie Seth George running full stride to convert a Clint Mathis cross from just inside the top of the penalty box. Mathis reacted quickly to a service from midfield to beat Chivas defender Juan Pablo Alfaro to set up the goal.

The Galaxy increased its lead to 2-0 when Hendrickson got free from three defenders, gathered the ball at the top of the box and fired a shot past Chivas keeper Gustavo Sedano.

The night's loudest response came in the 62nd minute, when the scoreboard flashed the final in the championship game of the Confederations Cup: Mexico 4, Brazil 3.

Obviously spurred by the news, Chivas battled valiantly down the stretch. The Mexicans cut the deficit in half in the 73rd minute, with Paulo Cesar Chavez scoring over Galaxy keeper Kevin Hartman.

An offside call against Chivas in the 82th minute nullified an apparent goal. Jose Botello of the Galaxy closed out the scoring a minute later, redirecting a nice cross from George on the left flank.