Los Angeles, CA

Carlos Alvarez scored a late goal in his Major League Soccer debut to help Chivas USA salvage a 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy in the first SuperClasico showdown at Home Depot Center.

Chivas (1-1-1), for the second time in their last nine meetings, avoided losing to the Galaxy, who lost just once in the series since 2007. Los Angeles has a 16-4-6 record in MLS regular-season games against Chivas.

Chivas weathered center back Joaquin Velazquez's 40th-minute ejection and held off the dominant Galaxy's second-half forays until McBean got his head to a deflected ball from Mike Magee in the 83rd minute.

Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy got his hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out of his net to give the Galaxy (1-0-1) a 1-0 lead.

However, Alvarez tapped home Carlos Borja's low cross through the box in the 89th to give Chivas a share of the points.

Chivas took advantage of a Galaxy defensive breakdown, with Borja placing a pinpoint low cross to the far post for Alvarez to tap-in for the hard-earned draw.

The Galaxy had the better chances throughout with Jose Villarreal hitting the crossbar with a header following a 31st-minute free kick and Mike Magee nodding a cross off the left post five minutes into the second half.

Chivas lost several players in the first half with Oswaldo Minda departing with a hamstring strain in the 18th minute, about five minutes after knocking knees with Magee.

Velasquez followed Minda to the locker room when he was given a red card by referee Ricardo Salazar after a collision with Colin Clark, leaving Chivas without two most important pieces of their defensive unit.

Chivas coach Jose Luis Sola quickly made several defensive adjustments, pulling forward Julio Morales for defender Carlos Borja to join Bobby Burling and Mario de Luna in the backline.

Sola then used his final substitution at halftime, giving first-round draft pick Alvarez his debut in place of Jose Correa. The move paid off big as Alvarez delivered the game-tying goal just before the final whistle.

The LA Galaxy will remain at home when they host the Colorado Rapids on March 23, while Chivas will head to Chicago to face the Fire on March 24.