Los Angeles Galaxy 2-3 Chicago Fire: Chicago Torches Hosts (Goal.com)

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CARSON, Calif.—The Los Angeles Galaxy almost rallied back, but failed to do so till the very last minute in a 2-3 loss to the Chicago Fire in front of the 20,348 in the Home Depot Center.

Chicago opened up the match with three unanswered goals early in the first. LA turned on the heat after trailing and a sloppy Fire defense gave LA two penalty kick goals, but didn't cede enough to help LA draw.

First Half

A fast break for Chicago took an early lead. Four minutes into the game, Fire winger Marco Pappa set the net ablaze with a thunderous blast that blew past Galaxy keeper Donovan Ricketts. Pappa's goal set the tone for the backdraft to follow.

One minute later Chicago struck again. Forward Collins John surged from the midfield and past the defense on the right flank. Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez hit the turbo button but arrived one second too late as John went near post to double the lead.

The match recalled the Galaxy's 4-1 beating at the hands of the Puerto Rico Islander in Champions League play last Tuesday.

Nineteen minutes deep Chicago knocked in the insurance goal. The visitors were on the attack when Pappa received a pass in the box and took the shot. Ricketts made the diving parry, butdeflected it to the feet of midfielder Mike Banner who finished off both the chance and the game.

With Banner's goal in the 19th minute, the Fire became the first MLS club this season to score more than two goals on the Galaxy.

Los Angeles were in complete shambles, appearing lost and desperate to make something happen. Throughout the first half they had been out-muscled and outworked. They didn't get their first really opportunity until the 35th minute when defender Sean Franklin drove it in on the left and connected with Jovan Kirvoski in the area for a quick blast. The shot was off target, and Edson Buddle was one step too late to redirect it in.

LA's only goal in the first came from a penalty kick.

In the 37th minute, LA defender Todd Dunivant dribbled his way into the 18 but was grabbed and taken down by the Fire's Patrick Nyarko. Referee Silviu Petrescu booked the midfielder and granted the home team the PK.

Up to the plate stepped captain Landon Donovan, who beat goalie Sean Johnson easily. This goal marked Donovan's century in MLS play. However, it was a bittersweet milestone as his side was still trailing through 45 minutes of play.