LA Galaxy keep playoff hopes alive by taking 3-1 win in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS -- The LA Galaxy kept their MLS Cup playoff hopes alive on Sunday, taking a 3-1 victory over Minnesota United in front of an announced crowd of 52,242.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring on the half-hour mark. The Swede headed home aRolf Feltscher cross to give the visitors the advantage.

The Loons faithful thought their side had leveled the score nine minutes later, when captain Francisco Calvo made a streaking run forward from his left-back spot and fired past goalkeeper David Bingham, but his goal was flagged up for offside with the Costa Rica international making his run a half step too early.

But the real action wouldn't begin until after the interval.

Ashley Cole crept in behind Miguel Ibarra on the left flank, and his inch-perfect cross was met by Ola Kamara, who tapped in a 2-0 advantage on 50 minutes. Less than a minute later, Ibrahimovic turned provider, sending a beautiful diagonal ball into the area for Romain Alessandrini to volley home with an exquisite finish to make the score 3-0.

Minnesota would get one back two minutes after that, when Angelo Rodriguez headed home a lofted cross from Darwin Quintero, cutting the final score to 3-1.

The Galaxy needed to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and they did just that. With the Portland Timbers knocking off Real Salt Lake 3-0 at Providence Park, LA is now just one point behind RSL for the final playoff place in the Western Conference, with a game in hand.