Donovan's penalty kick sends L.A. to West final

Landon Donovan sent the Los Angeles Galaxy to the Western Conference finals by burying a 73rd-minute penalty for a 1-0 victory over Chivas USA on Sunday night.

By The Associated Press

Latest from the Sounders FC blog

Sounders FC Blog

Sounders FC has to protect Freddie Ljungberg from expansion draft NEW - 11/23, 02:21 PM

CARSON, Calif. — Landon Donovan sent the Los Angeles Galaxy to the Western Conference finals by burying a 73rd-minute penalty for a 1-0 victory over Chivas USA on Sunday night.

Donovan tied a Major League Soccer record with his 16th postseason goal and put the Galaxy through 3-2 on aggregate after a 2-2 tie last week.

The Galaxy will host Houston in a single match Friday night to determine who goes to the MLS Cup in Seattle on Nov. 22. Houston ousted Sounders FC 1-0.

The Galaxy victory meant David Beckham would miss England's exhibition against Brazil next week to stay with the Galaxy, who haven't been to the conference finals since winning the championship in 2005.

Donovan converted after Chivas USA's Yamith Cuesta fouled Mike Magee in the penalty area by wrapping his right leg around Magee's groin in the 70th minute. Beckham began the play with a cross to Donovan, who passed to Magee on the right side of the area.

On the kick, Chivas goalkeeper Zach Thornton dove to his left, and Donovan sent the ball through the area Thornton vacated, tying Carlos Ruiz's mark.

Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made two saves, both in the first half. In the 32nd minute, he dove to his right and deflected Justin Braun's 34-yard shot with both hands.

Los Angeles held Chivas to three shots in the second half, none of which were on target.

Note

• John Terry scored in the 76th minute to give Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, extending Chelsea's English Premier League lead to five points.

E-mail article Print view Share

More Sounders

NEW - 02:21 PM
Second-tier soccer league dubs itself the NASL

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks

Steve Kelley: A fantastic finish to first MLS season in Seattle

MLS Cup history

Sounders FC coach Schmid remains hospitalized

More Sounders headlines...

Comments (0)

Hide comments / Show comments

No comments have been posted to this article. Start the conversation.

Read all comments / Share your thoughts