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Sounders end Galaxy’s season with 3-2 win in MLS playoffs

Seattle Sounders' Nelson Valdez, left, celebrates with teammates Obafemi Martins, center, and Clint Dempsey, right, after Valdez scored a goal against the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first half of an MLS soccer western conference knockout round playoff match, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) ORG XMIT: WATW106 (Ted S. Warren / AP)
Associated Press

SEATTLE – Erik Friberg took advantage of a defensive mistake and scored in the 73rd minute, lifting the Seattle Sounders past the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 on Wednesday night in the knockout round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

After getting eliminated from the playoffs by Los Angeles three times since 2010, Seattle finally got the better of its rival to the south and ended the year for the Galaxy, who had won three of the last four MLS Cup titles.

Seattle scored twice in the first 12 minutes on goals from Clint Dempsey and Nelson Valdez, part of a wild first half that featured four goals in the first 22 minutes. But it was Friberg providing the winner, taking advantage of a third defensive mistake by the Galaxy and sending Seattle into the conference semifinals against either FC Dallas or Vancouver.

Sebastian Lletget and Gyasi Zardes scored in the first half for Los Angeles, but the Galaxy had just five shots in the second half as Seattle’s defense tightened after giving up 11 shots in the first half.

Los Angeles had to travel to Seattle after losing at Sporting Kansas City on the final day of the regular season. The Galaxy entered the final day in position to avoid the knockout round, but are now done for the year.

Friberg’s goal started with a cross from Tyrone Mears into the penalty area. Los Angeles defender A.J. DeLaGarza headed the pass straight into the air, bringing goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts out of his net. Ricketts briefly slipped and the ball was headed by Leonardo, but directly to Friberg, who put the left-footed shot into the far corner of the net. The goal capped 20 minutes where Seattle was the dominant side but couldn’t finish a number of chances.

Los Angeles’ best chance late came in the 82nd minute when Zardes’ shot from 15 yards was pushed aside by goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Seattle took 1-0 and 2-1 leads in the first 12 minutes, only to let those advantages slip away. Seattle had a third goal waived off after a lengthy discussion between officials, who determined Dempsey was offside and negated Andreas Ivanschitz’s goal in the 23rd minute.

Seattle jumped ahead after just five minutes when Dempsey scored into an open goal after a misplay in the back between defender Omar Gonzalez and Ricketts. The lead lasted less than two minutes as touch passes from Giovani Dos Santos and Zardes left Lletget unmarked and his shot beat Frei to the far post.

The Sounders retook the lead in the 12th minute when Ivanschitz’s free kick from 35 yards found Valdez streaking past Steven Gerrard, and he finished for his second goal with Seattle. Again, the lead lasted just a few minutes, with Zardes pulling the Galaxy even when his shot deflected off Valdez and past Frei.