CARSON, Calif. — Alvaro Pires and Edson Buddle scored first-half goals as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Colorado Rapids 3-2 on Saturday night.
Ely Allen added an early second-half goal for the Galaxy, which moved into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference. Colin Clark and Herculez Gomez scored second-half goals for Colorado.
David Beckham helped the Galaxy get on the scoreboard four minutes in as he swung a free kick into the penalty area from about 40 yards on the right side. The ball bounced off two players before Pires knocked it past Colorado goalie Preston Burpo for his first MLS goal.
Buddle doubled the Galaxy’s lead in the 32nd minute. With Colorado defender Facundo Erpen playing him closely, Buddle dribbled the ball into the penalty area and rifled a shot from the right side of the box into the back of the net.
Allen took a pass from Peter Vagenas in the 50th minute and slotted home a shot from just inside the penalty area for his first career MLS goal.
Clark scored for the Rapids after taking a pass from Omar Cummings and slipping a 12-yard shot past Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin in the 73rd minute. Former Galaxy star Gomez poked in a goal in the 82nd minute to cut into the lead.
United 2, Fire 1
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Luciano Emilio’s stoppage-time goal on a counter attack gave D.C. United the victory.
Jaime Moreno tied the score at 1-1 for United in the 63rd minute. Then, with four minutes of stoppage time, Emilio scored after dribbling down the left side against two Fire defenders, crossing to the middle and sending a right-foot shot past Fire goalie Jon Busch.
Earthquakes 2, Crew 0
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Midfielder Ronnie O’Brien set up goals by Ryan Johnson and Ramiro Corrales for San Jose.
The Crew is winless in its last four matches with three losses and a tie, and has not scored in 368 minutes.
Wizards 0, Real Salt Lake 0
SALT LAKE CITY — Kansas City goalie Kevin Hartman made seven saves in the tie.
The Associated Press
