Sounders oust champion Galaxy

Erik Friberg took advantage of a defensive mistake and scored in the 73rd minute, lifting the host Seattle Sounders past the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 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.

In the night’s other game, Chris Rolfe scored in the 83rd minute to help D.C. United beat the New England Revolution 2-1.

The go-ahead goal came at the end of a skilled sequence. Nick DeLeon controlled the ball near the corner of the 18-yard box and backheeled a pass to Fabian Espindola, who fed it across goal to an uncovered Rolfe. In other news:

• Seven men are in the running to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA president, with Michel Platini’s candidature accepted but pending because of his suspension from soccer.

FIFA published the list of valid applications “proposed in due time and form” on Wednesday.

The seven candidates for the Feb. 26 election are Platini, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Gianni Infantino, Tokyo Sexwale, Musa Bility, Jerome Champagne and Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa.

• Manchester United was eliminated from the League Cup by secondtier Middlesbrough in a penalty shootout in the latest fourth-round shocker. English trio Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young all missed from the spot for United as Middlesbrough advanced 3-1 in the shootout after the game finished 0-0 after extra time.