Galaxy keep playoff hopes alive; RSL still in third place

CARSON, Calif. — Despite playing without David Beckham, the Los Angeles Galaxy kept its slim playoff hopes alive with a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday.

The Galaxy moved into sixth place in the Western Conference, two points behind the Rapids and four points out of a playoff spot with two games remaining.

Real Salt Lake still clings to third place in conference with two weeks to go in the regular season.

Edson Buddle opened the scoring for Los Angeles in the 36th minute when rookie defender Sean Franklin found him open inside the penalty area. Buddle settled the ball and knocked it past Colorado goalkeeper Preston Burpo.

The goal was Buddle's first since Sept. 6, the last time the Galaxy (8-12-8) played without Beckham, and his 14th of the season. He is third in the league in goals scored behind teammate Landon Donovan (19) and FC Dallas' Kenny Cooper (18).

Beckham left the Galaxy to join England for World Cup qualifying.

FIRE 2, CREW 2: At Bridgeview, Ill., Brian McBride scored two goals against his former team to help the Chicago Fire earn a playoff berth with a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew on Sunday.

Columbus (16-6-6) scored two goals two minutes apart in the second half to take a 2-1 lead before McBride scored in the 79th minute to tie it.

Chicago (12-9-7) opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Justin Mapp's corner kick soared over everyone inside the box and bounced right at McBride's feet. The former Columbus forward easily bounced the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.

The Fire are tied with New England (12-9-7) in a battle for playoff positioning while Columbus secured the MLS Supporters Shield — awarded to the team with the league's best record — with the draw.

D.C. UNITED 0, HOUSTON 0: At Houston, D.C. United goalkeeper Louis Crayton made two saves, including one in the last minute of second-half stoppage time, to salvage a 0-0 tie against Houston on Sunday night.

Houston (11-5-11) extended its lead over Chivas USA to two points in the Western Conference and is unbeaten in its last six matches.

D.C. (10-14-4) remained winless in its last seven matches but held its ground in the Eastern Conference. D.C. trails New York and Kansas City by two points for fourth place in the East.

The match got heated in the second half with seven yellow cards being issued in the span of 20 minutes, culminating in D.C.'s Bryan Namoff being sent off with his second yellow card in the 73rd minute. D.C. played the final 20 minutes down a man.