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Galaxy top Rapids, stave off elimination

CARSON, California (Ticker) -- Brandon McDonald and Edson Buddle each scored and the Los Angeles Galaxy benefited from an own goal to notch a 3-2 triumph over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday.

Josh Saunders stopped four shots for Los Angeles (8-12-8), which avoided being eliminated from postseason contention with the victory.

"We live for another day," Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena said.

Tom McManus converted a penalty kick and Cory Gibbs tallied for Colorado (10-14-4), which remains two points behind Real Salt Lake (9-10-9) for third place in the Western Conference.

The Galaxy got a gift in the 70th minute from Ugo Ihemelu, who accidentally knocked in a free kick, giving the Galaxy a 2-1 lead. McDonald extended the advantage to 3-1 in the 80th minute after drilling a shot from 45 yards which sailed into the right corner of the net.

"I practice taking longer shots," McDonald said. "I turned and looked and they weren't closing me down. Someone took a step closer to me, so I took another touch and I had the space, so I took the shot. I've scored a few of those in practice. It's my first career MLS goal, so I'm pretty happy about it.

"I'll shoot from anywhere. My grandma always told me to shoot from the half-way line."

Colorado tried to rally late as McManus drilled a penalty kick into the left side to make it 3-2, but it was too little, too late.

The Galaxy, who were playing without star midfielder David Beckham (international duty), took a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute. Buddle took a feed from Sean Franklin on the right side of the box and chipped it into the right side.

But Colorado netted the equalizer just eight minutes later as Terry Cooke sent a corner kick from the left side and Gibbs' diving header found the right side of the net.

"I felt for the first 15 minutes we were thoroughly beaten all over the field," Arena said.

"We fought back and got that goal. I felt we made a few mistakes in giving up their first goal from the corner. I felt that we started the second half much better and especially when Landon Donovan came on, he showed his leadership on this team and that was great."