Galaxy, Toronto advance in MLS Cup playoffs

Emmanuel Boateng scored twice in the first half to lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday in the knockout round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Alan Gordon also scored for the Galaxy, who will host to the Colorado Rapids on Sunday in the first match of the Western Conference's two-game semi-final series.

In Eastern Conference action, goals from Sebastian Giovinco, Jonathan Osorio, and Jozy Altidore gave Toronto FC a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union and the first playoff win in Toronto's 10-year existence.

Toronto next meet New York City FC in an Eastern Conference semi-final home-and-away series starting Sunday.

"It's a weight that's been on this organization for a little bit," Toronto defender Drew Moor said of the club's lack of post-season success. "To have just a small part of it is pretty special."

Giovinco scored in the 15th minute, Osorio in the 48th and Altidore in the 85th as Toronto earned the first playoff win in their 10-year existence.

Alejandro Bedoya scored in the 73rd minute to bring Philadelphia back within a goal, but Altidore banished all hopes of a comeback when he scored on a counter-attack as the Union pushed for an equalizer.

In Los Angeles, the five-time MLS Cup champion Galaxy beat Western Conference foes Real Salt Lake for the fourth time in five post-season meetings.

Boateng gave the Galaxy a 2-1 lead in the 26th minute. The 22-year-old midfielder from Ghana received a short pass from Gordon and raced past three defenders to convert an eight-yard shot.

Boateng's goal compensated for his foul that had allowed Real Salt Lake to level the score at 1-1. He tripped Javier Morales in the penalty area and Joao Plata converted the ensuing penalty in the 21st minute.

Boateng added his second goal in the 34th, speed past defender Demar Phillips and firing a left-footed shot from 12 yards out.

Gordon had opened the scoring in the 14th minute, volleying home a four-yard shot after Giovani Dos Santos had headed on a cross from Landon Donovan.

The Galaxy were again without midfielder Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool icon whose MLS season has been disrupted by a lingering hamstring injury.

Gordon departed in the 52nd minute when he suffered an apparent injury. He fell without being touched, grabbing the back of his left thigh.

The opening knock-out round continues on Thursday, when DC United host Montreal Impact and Seattle Sounders host Sporting Kansas City.

Montreal arrive in Washington without Ivorian forward Didier Drogba, who has missed significant training with a sore back.

Impact spokesman Patrick Vallee confirmed to AFP that Drogba would not be in the squad after he was unable to train with the team.

The 38-year-old's physical struggles have been accompanied by rising tension between the player and the club, which reached a peak on October 16 when he refused to be part of Montreal's matchday squad after being told he wouldn't be in the starting lineup.

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