Shavar Thomas plays defense for the Chivas USA.

Chivas USA came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw in front of a record crowd at the first-ever Playoff Super Clásico against the LA Galaxy on Sunday at The Home Depot Center on Sunday, Nov. 11.

The Red-and-White took a 4th minute lead when Sacha Kljestan gathered a loose ball in the Chivas USA defensive area and played a long pass up field to Maicon Santos, who carried the ball to just outside the 18-yard box before hitting a left-footed strike just inside the far post.

The Galaxy struck back with two goals before halftime, both of which came off of defensive miscues from Chivas USA. With the Red-and-White defense missing clearances, Mike Magee (minute 14) and Landon Donovan (minute 41) put the Galaxy ahead on unassisted goals from close range.

Chivas USA played with renewed energy in the second half, and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Maykel Galindo took advantage of a soft back pass by Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez, dribbling around goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and putting the ball into the empty net.

The Red-and-White had several good chances in the final 30 minutes, with Ricketts making good saves on shots from both Paulo Nagamura and Santos. Ricketts finished with two saves on the day, while Zach Thornton made three stops in the Chivas USA net.

The second leg of the home-and-home series will be played next Sunday, Nov. 8 at 4:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center. It will be a ‘home’ game for the LA Galaxy. If the game remains tied on total goals after next week’s game, an overtime will be played, with penalty kicks deciding the series if the game ends in a draw.