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Galaxy stay alive with 3-2 win over Rapids

Sun 12th, October 2008

Carson, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Galaxy earned just their second win in their last 16 Major League Soccer matches, 3-2, over the Colorado Rapids at the Home Depot Center on Sunday.

Goals by Edson Buddle and Brandon McDonald and an own goal by Colorado defender Ugo Ihemelu were enough to outlast the Rapids (10-14-4), who were desperate for a result to keep pace in the crowded playoff race with just two games to go.

With the win, L.A. (8-12-8) avoids being eliminated from playoff contention, and sits just four points out of a playoff spot. Even with the loss, the Rapids are just two points out of the last automatic spot in the Western Conference table.

Buddle scored Sunday's first goal when Sean Franklin played a pass into the Colorado penalty area. Buddle took a touch around defender Corey Gibbs and unleashed his 14th goal of the season in the 36th minute.

It was Buddle's first goal since Sept. 6.

The Rapids tied the game before the first-half break on a corner kick, however. Gibbs made up for his defensive gaffe on the first goal by diving to head a Terry Cooke corner kick home from the top of the six-yard box.

It was Gibbs' first MLS goal while Cooke recorded his team-leading 11th assist.

The Galaxy got the go-ahead goal in the 70th minute when Eddie Lewis fired a hard free-kick into the Rapids' box from the right side. The ball went over Colorado goalkeeper Preston Burpo's head before it deflected off the chest of Ihemelu and into the goal.

Los Angeles added an insurance goal 10 minutes later when Brandon McDonald unleashed a 40-yard rocket that curled past the outstretched hands of Burpo to make it 3-1.

That goal proved to be the winner as Tom McManus converted a penalty kick in the 88th minute to pull the Rapids within a goal.

Colorado will aim to rebound from its second-straight loss when it travels to take on Chivas USA next Sunday while L.A. plays at Houston a day earlier in its next league fixture.