MLS: CHIVAS SNAPS WINLESS STREAK GALINDO, RAZOV SCORE IN TRIUMPH.

Byline: IVAN OROZCO

Staff Writer

CARSON -- Maykel Galindo didn't have time to complain after being tripped Saturday.

The Chivas USA forward was staring at a loose ball in front of him with only a defender and the goalkeeper between him and the goal.

That's when Galindo leaped up and dashed forward. Seconds later he blasted the ball about 10yards outside the penalty box into the lower-left corner of the net during Chivas' 2-0 win over FC Dallas at the Home Depot Center.

"I swear to you I never thought about asking for the foul," Galindo said in Spanish. "I knew I had one defender left to beat, so I got up and faced him with the confidence that the goalkeeper was walking backwards, and I took advantage of that."

The Cuban-born striker celebrated his team-leading fifth goal of the season and third in four games with a brief dance near cheering teammates from the bench in the 51st minute.

Galindo's goal helped spark a much-needed win for Chivas, which came into the match winless in its past four games. But perhaps more important, it came against the Western Conference's best team, and it gave Chivas three more points in the conference standings with 11.

FC Dallas leads the conference with 18. Colorado stands ahead of Chivas in second with 15 points.

Forward Ante Razov added Chivas' other goal in injury time of the second half. He volleyed the ball over FC Dallas goalkeeper Dario Salas, who came out of the penalty box. Paulo Nagamura fed Razov the assist.

With the win, Chivas snapped Dallas' three-game win streak and posted its third shutout this season.

It couldn't come at a better time, as the defense had struggled in recent games. The Chivas backline gave up two tying goals coming off mistakes in its past two games.

"We stayed organized for 90minutes," said Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who finished with three saves. "In the first half we weren't good but when it's nil-nil at the half we can regroup and come back out."

Galindo came out of the locker room hungry for a goal and created a series of scoring chances early in the match. The two closest coming within a matter of seconds in the 30th minute, but two saves by Salas kept the game scoreless.

The first opportunity came on a fast break. Galindo, in his first season in Major League Soccer, sent a quick touch to an unmarked Sacha Kljestan, who tried to send a shot to the left side of the goal. A falling Salas blocked the shot with his legs. Moments later, Galindo penetrated to the back-right side of the penalty box only to meet a diving Salas, who snatched the ball from the forward's feet.

"I desired a goal because I had one right there for taking in the first half," Galindo said. "But I always felt confident that I could get one in."

In an expected move, Mexican national team midfielder and Chivas' first team captain Ramon Ramirez officially announced his retirement from soccer in a news conference before the match. He played in 31 games for Chivas in the team's inaugural 2005 season before partially tearing ligaments in his left knee.

[e-mail]

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Chivas USA's Maykel Galindo, right, battles for the ball against Dallas' Alex Yi on Saturday.

Edna T. Simpson/Daily News