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L.A. tops Colorado to clinch playoff berth

Sep 10, 2011 - 5:04 AM Carson, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Galaxy booked a spot in the 2011 MLS Cup playoffs on Saturday with a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids.

Los Angeles, now with 55 points on the season, became the first club to clinch a postseason berth this year. The club remains in first place in the Western Conference with the best overall record in MLS (15-3-10).

Colorado (10-8-11) is also still in good shape to qualify for the playoffs, sitting in fifth place in the West with 41 points from 29 matches.

Galaxy talisman Landon Donovan provided the goal that not only handed his team the win, but also tied him with Thierry Henry for the MLS scoring lead with 12 goals on the season.

The lone goal came in the 36th minute following a great passing sequence from Los Angeles.

The Galaxy moved the ball from one side of the field to the other, with David Beckham, Chad Barrett, and Sean Franklin all getting involved before finding Donovan on the left side. The Galaxy captain finished the move with a one-time shot to the far post that gave Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens no chance for a save.

Wells Thompson thought he had equalized for Colorado in the 57th minute when he stuffed home a rebound, but the goal was disallowed as the midfielder was in an offside position when the initial shot was taken, keeping the Rapids scoreless.

With the win, the Galaxy remain unbeaten in their past four MLS regular season matches. The Rapids, on the other hand, is now winless in their last three.

Both teams return to regular season action on September 17, as Los Angeles hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC at The Home Depot Center and Colorado travels to BMO Field to face Toronto FC.