With a 2-1 victory against Houston Dynamo on Sunday, the Los Angeles Galaxy extended their four-game winning streak and kept themselves in the running for the MLS Cup Playoffs.
"It just keeps us alive and it keeps us rolling," Los Angeles coach Frank Yallop said of the victory, which moves the Galaxy within six points of eighth place in the MLS standings and a berth in the postseason.
The win was only the third Galaxy victory away from The Home Depot Center this season. All three have come back-to-back-to-back during the Galaxy's current winning streak.
"Incredible result," forward Landon 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. I'm really proud of our guys."
After Nate Jaqua put Dynamo ahead in the 21st minute, the Galaxy tied the score through Carlos Pavon just before the halftime break and then Gavin Glinton scored the game-winner in the 77th minute.
"Carlos starts the play and Landon flicks it on to him, and he has a terrific finish," 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 on the second goal. It was a great head back by Cobi and then Gavin was alert to put it in the net, so it was terrific."
Both scoring plays were initiated from a dead ball. Pavon's goal came on a play that began with a throw-in, and Glinton's score was the end result of a Donovan free kick.
The Galaxy defense played well against the Dynamo attack, holding the defending MLS Cup champions to only three shots on goal.
"I thought towards the second half of the first half, we started to pick up our game and started to play really well," Los Angeles defender Ante Jazic said of his team's defense. "In the second half we dropped a little bit. They put some pressure on us, but I thought we defended well, kept our composure, kept our shape. We were able to sneak a second goal, and we were able to hold out for a huge three points in a playoff drive."
Jazic also said that he thinks the Galaxy are coming together as a team just in time.
"I just think right now we have a positive atmosphere," Jazic said, "we're playing without any pressure. All the guys are together and we've finally become a team. We have the same lineup, 12 guys deep usually. We're gelling together at the right time. It's a good atmosphere, and we're going to make a good push towards the playoffs, hopefully."
Yallop agreed, saying, "everybody in the club is so behind what we're doing right now. It's just great. It's a great atmosphere. The guys have done terrific, and I'm really proud of what we're doing right now."
Still, the Galaxy need almost to win out if they are to reach the postseason. The Galaxy have three games remaining, while the Chicago Fire, currently in eighth place, six points ahead of LA, have two -- and the teams face each other in the season finale. First, though, the Galaxy take on Toronto FC next Saturday at The Home Depot Center.
Lucas Ogden-Davis is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
