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PASADENA, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Galaxy advanced to the MLS Cup for the second time in team history with a 3-1 victory over the Dallas Burn in the decisive third game of the Western Conference finals. The Galaxy, who played in the inaugural MLS Cup in 1996, never looked back after scoring twice in the first 20 minutes. Defender Greg Vanney opened the scoring in the third minute, converting a penalty kick after midfielder Paul Broome committed a hand ball in the box. It was his second playoff goal. In the 20th minute, Roy Myers finished a run through the middle by sliding the ball into the box for fellow midfielder Clint Mathis. Mathis could not control the pass but neither could goalkeeper Mark Dodd, who gave up a dangerous rebound. Carlos Hermosillo pounced on the loose ball and easily slid it past the fallen Dodd to make it 2-0. Hermosillo has three playoff goals, all in the last two games. Los Angeles extended its lead in the 68th minute as midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos tapped in Ezra Hendrickson's pass. Hendrickson took a throw-in along the goal line and slid a pass by Dodd to the front of the net, where an unmarked Cienfuegos ran onto it. Dallas avoided the shutout in the 89th minute, when Jason Kreis converted a penalty kick after Robin Fraser's hand ball. After leading the MLS in scoring during the season, Kreis got his first playoff goal. The Galaxy await the Eastern Conference champion -- D.C. United or Columbus -- in the MLS Cup on November 21 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
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