Galaxy, Impact gain edge in MLS Cup playoffs

GIOVANI dos Santos’s second-half header was enough to give the Los Angeles Galaxy a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday and the edge in their MLS Cup playoff tie.

The Mexican striker made good use of a strong individual effort from Jelle Van Damme with a header that deflected off Rapids defender Axel Sjoberg and looped over Colorado keeper Tim Howard.

The Galaxy grabbed a slim lead in their Western Conference semifinal tie, which will conclude on Saturday with a return leg in Colorado.

Los Angeles scored despite Colorado’s disciplined defence.

“It was very difficult,” dos Santos said. “They press every single ball, and they’re very compact. Not for nothing are they the best defensive team in MLS.”

And Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni was confident his team could overcome a one-goal deficit when they host the Galaxy at altitude in suburban Denver.

“We’re in a really good spot,” Mastroeni said. “I like our chances of getting a goal and going into the waning minutes or overtime at altitude, where teams struggle.”

The Eastern Conference semifinals got underway with two Canadian teams getting the jump on two from New York.

In Montreal, the Impact beat 1-0 the New York Red Bulls thanks to Matteo Mancosu’s stunning half-volley.

The Italian import out-raced two Red Bulls defenders and one-timed a blistering shot just inside the box to the left of keeper Luis Robles in the 61st minute.

Mancosu has six goals in 16 appear- ances since arriving in July on loan from Serie A outfit Bologna, and has filled the void left by Ivorian star Didier Drogba who hasn’t played in a month as he battles a sore back.

In Toronto, goals from Jozy Altidore in the 84th and Tosaint Ricketts in injury time lifted the hosts to a 2-0 victory over a New York City side without Italian star Andrea Pirlo who is nursing a calf injury.

In the late game, the Seattle Sounders blanked first place FC Dallas 3-0 in the first leg of their Western Conference semifinal.