After a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their matchup, the Los Angeles Galaxy put in a dominant performance at the StubHub Center as they easily handled Real Salt Lake 5-0.
As Real Salt Lake’s season comes to an end, Los Angeles will wait to see who they face in the Western Conference finals, which will be decided when Seattle hosts Dallas tomorrow at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
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The Galaxy came out of the gates hot as RSL looked outmatched from the opening whistle. For Los Angeles, it was the seasoned veterans Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane who led the way as they have so often for their club.
Landon Donovan netted the first MLS playoff hat-trick since 1999 with three goals and an assist, while Keane added a goal and three assists himself. Two of the oldest players on the pitch often looked like they were playing against schoolboys as the two effortlessly picked apart the RSL defense.
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With five goals scored, none was prettier than Landon’s third tally, taking a brilliant chip from Keane and finishing past Nick Rimando who stood no chance at making a save. Check it out, with video from MLSSoccer.com:
It was pure domination for Los Angeles, who outshot RSL 19-4 and looked a class above their competition for the full 90 minutes.
In what could have been Landon Donovan’s last MLS game, he put in a legendary performance while also keeping his team alive. It sure would be a magical ending to his career if the Galaxy can advance to the MLS Cup...
LINEUPS:
Los Angeles: Penedo, Gonzalez, Rogers (Gargan 75'), DeLaGarza, Leonardo (Meyer 37'), Sarvas, Donovan (Gordon 83'), Juninho, Ishizaki, Keane, Zardes
Goals: Donovan (10', 54', 72'), Keane (20'), Sarvas (63')
Real Salt Lake: Rimando, Beltran, Borchers, Wingert, Schuler, Beckerman, Morales (Jaime 70'), Mulholland (Gil 55'), Grabavoy (Findley 65'), Plata, Saborio