LA Galaxy took another step toward to the 2011 MLS Supporters' Shield with another win, this time a 2-1 home result over 2009 champions Real Salt Lake.
Despite RSL taking the lead through Fabian Espindola's brilliant 45th minute header, the Galaxy managed to fight back at The Home Depot Center when David Beckham found Chad Barrett with a long ball and the LA striker was able to flick home under extreme pressure just prior to the hour-mark.
With just under 20 minutes remaining, the Galaxy hit the front when Beckham's long free-kick was flicked on by Paolo Cardozo to Todd Dunivant at the back post and his cross back into the area came off two RSL defenders, the last touch off Nat Borchers, for a winning own goal for the home side.
LA remain seven points clear of second-placed Seattle Sounders who won 2-1 away at New England Revolution thanks to a Fredy Montero double.
Thierry Henry was on the scoresheet with a classy 13th goal of the season but it was not enough as New York Red Bulls drew 1-1 with Toronto FC who were served by Danny Koevermans' fifth goal in six matches. NYRB's play-off chances took another blow as they now sit fifth in the East, four points behind third-placed Columbus Crew who won 2-1 at home over DC United.
Elsewhere in MLS, Sebastien Le Toux netted twice as Philadelphia Union beat DC United 3-2 in the Washington clubs first of two weekend matches on Friday night whilst Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire drew 1-1.
Colorado Rapids managed to defeat FC Dallas 1-0 with ten men, San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City played out a 1-1 draw as the Portland Timbers beat Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 away.
And in last night's match, Juan Pablo Angel was on target with a late leveler as Chivas USA held Philadelphia to a 1-1 draw in the Union's catch-up game.
2011 MLS season - Week 29 scores
Philadelphia Union: 3 (Sebastien Le Toux 4'/15', Michael Farfan 57') DC United: 2 (Dwayne De Rosario 22', Any Najar 30') PPL Park, Chester, PA - 17,963
Houston Dynamo: 1 (Colin Clark 33') Chicago Fire: 1 (Dominic Oduro 43') Robertson Stadium, Houston, TX - 17,544
New England Revolution: 1 (Diego Fagundez 356') Seattle Sounders: 2 (Fredy Montero 36'/47') Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA - 21,022
Toronto FC: 1 (Danny Koevermans 50') New York Red Bulls: 1 (Thierry Henry 88') BMO Field, Toronto, ON - 20,132
Colorado Rapids: 1 (Drew Moor 26', red card: Miguel Comminges 74') FC Dallas: 0 Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO - 13,920
LA Galaxy: 2 (Chad Barrett 59', Nat Borchers (og) 72') Real Salt Lake: 1 (Fabian Espindola 45') The Home Depot Center, Carson, CA - 27,000
San Jose Earthquakes: 1 (Chris Wondolowski 85') Sporting Kansas City: 1 (Teal Bunbury 86') Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, CA - 10,525
Columbus Crew: 2 (Daniel Woolard (og) 48', Eddie Gaven 60') DC United: 1 (Daniel Woolard 37') Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH - 15,566
Vancouver Whitecaps: 0 Portland Timbers: 1 (Kenny Cooper 25') BC Place, Vancouver, BC - 21,000
Chivas USA: 1 (Juan Pablo Angel 90') Philadelphia Union: 1 (Justin Mapp 59') The Home Depot Center, Carson, CA - 16,134
