Donovan penalty sends L.A. Galaxy to West finals against Houston

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David Beckham (front) and the Galaxy will play host to the Dynamo Friday night. Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

CARSON, Calif. (AP) -- Landon Donovan sent the Los Angeles Galaxy to the Western Conference finals by burying a 73rd-minute penalty for a 1-0 victory over Chivas USA on Sunday night.

Donovan tied an MLS record with his 16th postseason goal and put the Galaxy through 3-2 on aggregate after a 2-2 tie last week.

The Galaxy will host Houston in a single match Friday night to determine who goes to the MLS Cup final.

Donovan converted after Chivas USA's Yamith Cuesta fouled Mike Magee in the penalty area by wrapping his right leg around Magee's groin in the 70th minute. David Beckham began the play with a cross to Donovan, who passed to Magee on the right side of the area.

On the kick, Chivas goalkeeper Zach Thornton dove to his left, and Donovan sent the ball through the area Thornton vacated, tying Carlos Ruiz's mark.

Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made two saves, both in the first half. In the 32nd minute, he dove to his right and deflected Justin Braun's 34-yard shot with both hands.

Los Angeles held Chivas to three shots in the second half, none of which were on target.

Chivas USA ..........0 0--0
At Los Angeles........ 0 1--1

• First half: None.

• Second half: 1, Los Angeles, Donovan 13 (penalty kick), 73rd minute.

• Goalies: Chivas USA, Zach Thornton; Los Angeles, Donovan Ricketts.

• Yellow Cards: Talley, Chivas USA, 39th; Franklin, Los Angeles, 60th; Thornton, Chivas USA, 72nd; Nagamura, Chivas USA, 79th; Cuesta, Chivas USA, 79th; Kljestan, Chivas USA, 98th+.

• Referee: Ricardo Salazar. Assistant Referees--George Gansner. Kermit Quisenberry. 4th Official--Alex Prus.

• A: 27,000 (27,000)

Lineups

• Chivas USA: Zach Thornton, Shavar Thomas, Paulo Nagamura, Sacha Kljestan, Maicon Santos (Jorge Flores, 84th), Jesus Padilla (Maykel Galindo, 60th), Justin Braun, Michael Lahoud (Eduardo Lillingston, 76th), Yamith Cuesta, Carey Talley, Jonathan Bornstein.

• Los Angeles: Donovan Ricketts, Dema Kovalenko, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan, Gregg Berhalter, Omar Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant, David Beckham (Alan Gordon, 77th), Sean Franklin, Chris Klein (Jovan Kirovski, 67th), Mike Magee (Eddie Lewis, 86th).

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