[monks data]

MLS Playoffs | Playoffs

Nov 9, 2014 at 12.30am UK

LA Galaxy Los Angeles Galaxy
5-0
Salt Lake Real Salt Lake

Donovan (10', 54', 72'), Keane (20'), Sarvas (63')

FT(HT: 2-0)

Match Report

Football

Landon Donovan hat-trick fires Los Angeles Galaxy through to Western Conference final

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter and Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 10 November 2014

Donovan hat-trick fires Galaxy through to final

Landon Donovan scores a hat-trick to fire the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 5-0 win over Real Salt Lake to earn their place in the MLS Western Conference final.

Landon Donovan scored a hat-trick to fire the Los Angeles Galaxy into the MLS Western Conference final courtesy of a thumping 5-0 win over Real Salt Lake.

Bruce Arena's side started the game on the front foot and they opened the scoring after just 11 minutes as Donovan guided a diving header past Nick Rimando.

Galaxy, who drew 0-0 with Real in the first leg, then took full control of the tie when Donovan turned provider to set up Robbie Keane for the simplest of finishes eight minutes later.

Salt Lake, who finished five points behind Galaxy in the regular season, looked out of their depth as the hosts spurned a number of chances to extend their lead in the first half.

First, Donovan coasted through the heart of Real's midfield before driving at goal and sending a shot well over, while Gyasi Zardes then fluffed his lines in a one-on-one with Rimando.

Arena's men continued on in the same vein after the break and found a third within 10 minutes of the restart, as Donovan latched on to Keane's through-ball before rounding Rimando and converting from an acute angle.

The Galaxy added their fourth goal of the evening when Keane knocked a through-ball into the box for Marcelo Sarvas, who capitalised on an error from Ned Grabavoy before he slotted the ball past Rimando.

Donovan completed the rout when he netted his hat-trick as he latched onto Keane's pinpoint ball over the top of the Salt Lake defence, and he applied a neat finish, knocking the ball past the on-rushing Rimando to seal his side's place in the Western Conference championship game.