MLS Cup playoffs: Galaxy beats Sounders to advance

CARSON, Calif. — David Beckham set up goals by Edson Buddle with a corner kick and Omar Gonzalez with a free kick in an 8-minute span of the first half to lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer's Western Conference semifinal Sunday night.

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made three saves for the Galaxy, who will play host to FC Dallas after winning the two-game series against Seattle 3-1.

Steve Zakuani scored for Seattle Sounders FC to break a playoff goalless streak of 386 minutes over two years.

Buddle scored his second goal of the playoffs in the 19th minute. He escaped defender Tyrone Marshall's grasp to head Beckham's corner kick inside the left post from eight yards.

Gonzalez made it 2-0 in the 27th minute. After Beckham took a 32-yard free kick, Gonzalez dived to head the ball inside the left post from seven yards.

Zakuani ended the scoring with a 7-yard shot in the 86th minute.

Ricketts kept Sounders FC from scoring in the 32nd minute by deflecting Osvaldo Alonzo's 29-yard line drive with both palms past Seattle's Zakuani and Blaise Nkufo.

Then in the 67th minute, a sliding Ricketts used his chest to block Zakuani's point-blank shot at the edge of the 6-yard goalkeeper's crease.

MLS playoff glance

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Semifinals

San Jose 1, New York 1, San Jose advanced on aggregate 3-2

Saturday, Oct. 30: New York 1, San Jose 0

Thursday, Nov. 4: San Jose 3, New York 1

Colorado 1, Columbus 1, Colorado advanced penalty kicks 5-4

Thursday, Oct. 28: Colorado 1, Columbus 0

Saturday, Nov. 6: Columbus 2, Colorado 1

Eastern Conference Championship

Saturday, Nov. 13: San Jose at Colorado, 7:30 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Semifinals

FC Dallas 2, Real Salt Lake 1

Saturday, Oct. 30: FC Dallas 2, Real Salt Lake 1

Saturday, Nov. 6: FC Dallas 1, Real Salt Lake 1

Los Angeles 2, Seattle 0

Sunday, Oct. 31: Los Angeles 1, Seattle 0

Sunday, Nov. 7: Los Angeles 2, Seattle 1

Western Conference Championship

Sunday, Nov. 14: FC Dallas at Los Angeles, 7 p.m.

MLS CUP

Sunday, Nov. 21: Conference Champions at Toronto, 6:30 p.m.