Carlos Alvarez's strike just minutes from the final whistle salvaged a point for 10-man Chivas USA in a 1-1 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday at the Home Depot Center.

Los Angeles thumped Chicago Fire, 4-0, on the heels of a Mike Magee hat trick in its season opener before having last week off to compete in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.

Chances were hard to come by in the opening 45 minutes, but the home side's best opportunity came in the 32nd minute when Omar Gonzalez flicked on a free kick that Jose Villarreal got a head to, but it rang off the crossbar to keep the sides level

Things got better for Los Angeles just five minutes from the interval when Chivas defender Joaquin Velazquez was sent off, reducing the Goats to 10 men for the entire second half.

Despite being up a man, Los Angeles' breakthrough did not come until the 83rd minute when Jack McBean got his head to a floated cross in the box and directed it just past the outstretched arm of Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy.

But the defending champions could not hold the lead as just six minutes later, Alvarez tapped home a low cross from Carlos Borja to put the sides back on level terms.

Los Angeles will try to get back on the winning track when it takes on the Colorado Rapids next Saturday, while Chivas will travel to Toyota Park to face a winless Chicago side on March 24.

Game Notes