CARSON, Calif. - Landon Donovan scored two goals to lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 3-1 victory Sunday over the San Jose Earthquakes in the first game of the MLS Western Conference semifinals.
The Galaxy will advance with a tie or a loss by no more than one goal in the final game of the home-and-home aggregate series Saturday night in San Jose.
Herculez Gomez gave Los Angeles a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute with a 25-yard free kick. Donovan’s first goal gave the Galaxy a 2-0 lead in the 39th minute when he poked a loose ball inside the left post from 11 yards. Ricardo Clark scored in the 68th minute on a 13-yard shot for the Earthquakes, who had the best record in the league during the regular season. Donovan ended the scoring in the 87th minute with his 12th career playoff goal, an 8-yard header.
