HARRISON, N.J. — Mike Magee has played every position for Los Angeles this Major League Soccer season, from defender, midfielder, forward, even goalkeeper for one match in June. On Sunday, it was his scoring touch that gave the Galaxy an advantage in its MLS playoff series against the New York Red Bulls.

Magee scored off a long cross from David Beckham in the 15th minute, giving the Galaxy a 1-0 victory over the Red Bulls in the first leg of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Magee's goal enables Los Angeles to head home needing a tie or a victory Thursday night to advance to the conference finals. The two-game series is based on aggregate goals. The Galaxy is unbeaten at home this season at 12-0-5.

Josh Saunders made five saves to earn his ninth shutout in 19 matches this season for the Galaxy, which beat the Red Bulls for the first time in 2011, after a 1-1 draw in May and a 2-1 road loss earlier this month.

Magee, who began his career with the Red Bulls franchise, played six seasons with the team as both the MetroStars and Red Bulls and was traded to the Galaxy in 2009.

Other MLS playoff matches

Dynamo 2, at Union 1

Andre Hainault and Calen Carr scored in the first half to lift Houston past Philadelphia in the opener of their East semifinal series.

Ex-Sounders FC player Sebastien Le Toux scored for the Union.

Sporting Kansas City 2,

at Rapids 0

Teal Bunbury scored in the 49th and 57th minutes to lead Sporting Kansas City past defending MLS Cup champion Colorado in the East semifinals.

The second goal came on a penalty kick. Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen made one save.