RAZOV, TEAMMATES SUPER IN 'CLASICO' GOATS SCORE TWICE IN FINAL MINUTES CHIVAS USA 3, GALAXY 0.

Byline: BILLY WITZ

Staff Writer

There are times when Chivas USA forward Ante Razov feels every one of his 33 years, when he thinks about how nice it would be to sit back at left back and launch long balls down the field instead of spending 90 minutes chasing kids a decade younger.

Then there are moments like Thursday, when Razov is able to turn off the burning in his lungs and turn back the clock.

The veteran, using all his guile and a right foot that's usually for decoration scored midway through the first half, then watched Francisco Mendoza and Laurent Merlin add goals in the final minutes for a 3-0 victory over the Galaxy before 23,328 at the Home Depot Center.

The victory clinched the SuperClasico and lifted Chivas (13-6-4, 43 points) into first place in the Western Conference, a point ahead of Houston. It's the first time they've been in first place beyond April.

The Galaxy (4-12-5, 17 points), fighting through fatigue and frustration that led to three second-half yellow cards, created several dangerous chances in the final 20 minutes - most of them created by Landon Donovan. But never showed the skill to finish.

The rivalry between the teams existed everywhere but on the field for most of the three years Chivas USA has been in existence.

It finally arrived in their last meeting three weeks ago, when Chivas' Jesse Marsch planted a foot in the midsection of David Beckham, setting off a tussle that had two players ejected.

Chivas also heated things up with a 3-0 win, their second in 11 games against the Galaxy.

It didn't take long for the intensity to arrive Thursday, either. And once again, Marsch was in the middle of it. After he was fouled by Peter Vagenas two minutes into the game, he threw the ball at Vagenas, who then pushed Marsch. Referee Alex Prus showed Marsch a yellow card.

The Galaxy was missing midfielder Kevin Harmse, who has provided a physical presence and a strong defender in front of the back line.

Harmse, who was ejected from the Aug. 24 game between the teams for throwing a punch during the Beckham-Marsch skirmish, was expected to be available after being called in to play for Canada in a friendly against Costa Rica on Wednesday night in Toronto. But he suffered a mild knee injury in practice earlier this week and return to Los Angeles on Wednesday, but did not suit up.

Harmse's absence was of particular concern because of Chivas' superior speed. In an attempt to counteract it, the Galaxy's outside midfielders, Cobi Jones and Kyle Martino, pinched in and the Galaxy focused on holding the ball. The plan worked well early with Carlos Pavon and Alan Gordon each getting chances in the penalty area they weren't able to convert.

Meanwhile, Chivas players, used to skillfully knocking the ball around while their fans chanted "ole" as opponents chase it, began to get frustrated.

Sasha Kljestan barked at Maykel Galindo for not working to get open after Kljestan gave the ball away.

That all changed when Razov delivered. He chested down a pass from Lawson Vaughn on the right side of the box. With Abel Xavier on his left hip and goalkeeper Joe Cannon coming out to challenge him, Razov fired with his notoriously underused right foot.

The ball kicked off Cannon's forearm, and kicked off the far post and into the net.

Less than the goal demoralized the Galaxy, it appeared to lift Chivas, which began to play like an MLS contender, and the spirits of its drum- pounding, chanting La Legion, the fan club which later unfurled an enormous flag that covered the entire section behind the north goal.

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Chivas' Ante Razov, right, battles for the ball against the Galaxy's Kyle Martino in the first half of Thursday's game.

Edna T. Simpson/Daily News