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Galaxy keeps slim playoff hopes alive

Oct 7, 2007 - 10:51 PM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Galaxy kept alive their slim playoff hopes by rallying for a 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo Sunday at Robertson Stadium on Sunday.

The victory came in front of the Dynamo's first sellout crowd in franchise history of 30,588.

Los Angeles took the lead for good in the 77th minute on Gavin Glinton's goal. Off a free kick from the left side, Cobi Jones headed the ball from the center box toward the upper post where Glinton headed it just inside the post and past Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad.

"Obviously Carlos starts the game and Landon flicks it on to him, and he has a terrific finish," Galaxy coach Frank Yallop said. "It was a beautiful left-footed shot, and at the far post it was unstoppable.

"We talked about early set plays and beginning areas, and we did exactly what we said. It was a great head back by Cobi and then Gavin was alert to put it in the net, so it was terrific."

With the win,Los Angeles (8-13-6, 30 points) moved into fourth place in the Western Conference, six points behind Chicago for the eighth and final playoff spot.

"I just think right now we have a positive atmosphere, we're playing without any pressure," Galaxy defender Ante Jazic said. "All the guys are together, we've finally become a team. We have the same lineup, 12 guys deep usually. We're jelling together at the right time.

"It's a good atmosphere, and we're going to make a good push towards the playoffs, hopefully."

Meanwhile, the Dynamo (14-8-6, 48 points) remained in second place in the West, three points behind first place Chivas USA.

"Well they're a desperate team, and they found a way," Dynamo midfielder Richard Mulrooney said. "They found a way in the previous three games in fact. Our challenge is now to get back on a winning streak. We have to go to Salt Lake, which is a place we've already lost this season.

"We're not necessarily looking for revenge, but we are looking for a result because we didn't last time, and we remember it. Going into next Monday our goal is to start another unbeaten streak."

Houston got on the board in the 21st minute with a goal by Nate Jaqua. Joseph Ngwenya dribbled up the right side and sent a cross through the box that Jaqua took possession of in the left box. Jaqua dribbled into the center box and let loose a one-timer that found the right corner of the net.

The Galaxy tied the score in first-half stoppage time on a goal by Carlos Pavon. Landon Donovan served up a pass into the left box for Pavon. Pavon then sent a one-timer toward the upper post that hit just inside the post and in.

"Incredible result," Donovan said. "I'm real proud of us, especially to go down away from home to what I think is the best team in the league, and a team that's near the top and fighting to get the supporter's shield and first place in the Western Conference."

The Dynamo were playing the game without All-Star midfielder Ricardo Clark, who was serving the first of his MLS record nine game suspension after he kicked FC Dallas' Carlos Ruiz in last week's game.

Before the kickoff, Houston All-Star forward Brian Ching was removed from the starting lineup due to a tight back, and Brian Mullan was inserted into the lineup in Ching's place.

"I thought the first 20 or 25 minutes was excellent," Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said. "We kind of let our foot off the pedal after we scored. We let them have some territory. We weren't sharp defensively."