Galaxy take command

CARSON, Calif. – Robbie Keane scored twice, Mike Magee added his latest clutch playoff goal and the Los Angeles Galaxy beat the Seattle Sounders 3-0 on Sunday night to take a commanding lead in the first leg of the MLS Western Conference finals.

Keane had an assist and Sean Franklin set up two goals by the defending champion Galaxy, who will head to Seattle next Sunday in prime position to earn their third MLS Cup appearance in four years.

Michael Gspurning made three saves to avoid an even more disastrous result for the Sounders, who must beat the Galaxy by four goals next weekend to advance to the franchise’s first MLS Cup final.

If Los Angeles survives and Houston wraps up the Eastern Conference finals, the MLS Cup would be a rematch of last season’s game, when David Beckham and the Galaxy won it all at Home Depot Center.

The Galaxy entered the postseason as the West’s fourth seed but have maintained the impressive form they showed down the regular-season stretch.

After beating Vancouver in a knockout playoff and ousting Supporters’ Shield-winning San Jose in the first round, Los Angeles largely dominated the talented Sounders – particularly while scoring two goals in three minutes early in the second half.

Houston 3, D.C. United 1: Andre Hainault, Will Bruin and Kofi Sarkodie each scored second-half goals to give the Dynamo a win over visiting D.C. United in the first leg of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Dynamo extended their home unbeaten streak to 30 games, dating to June 18, 2011, when they lost to Columbus. Houston is now just four wins or ties shy of matching Real Salt Lake’s league-record 34-game home unbeaten streak.

Nick DeLeon scored for United in the 27th minute.

The win gives Houston a two-goal aggregate lead heading into next Sunday’s decisive match at RFK Stadium in Washington. United will have to win that match by three goals to advance.

Backup goalkeeper Joe Willis made four saves for D.C., while Tally Hall had two for Houston.