CARSON, Calif. — Emmanuel Boateng scored two goals in eight minutes, Landon Donovan had an assist in his first start since 2014 and the Los Angeles Galaxy beat Real Salt Lake 3-1 on Wednesday night in the knockout round of the MLS playoffs.
Los Angeles (13-6-16) will play the Colorado Rapids in the first game of the two-leg Western Conference semifinals Sunday. Salt Lake (12-13-10) lost its final six road games.
Alan Gordon, who made his first start in the playoffs after 15 appearances as a substitute, opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Donovan crossed it and Giovani dos Santos’ glancing header found Gordon wide open at the far post.