Galaxy Beat Rapids 1-0 In Game 1 Of Two-Leg Series

CARSON, Calif. (AP) - Giovani dos Santos scored his first career playoff goal in the 55th minute and the Los Angeles Galaxy beat the Colorado Rapids 1-0 on Sunday in Game 1 of the two-leg Western Conference semifinal series.

Los Angeles (13-6-16) had its 10th shutout of the season. Colorado (15-7-13) will host the second leg of the semifinal next Sunday.

Jelle Van Damme keyed the goal when he cut back his defender at the edge of the box and found Dos Santos at the penalty spot. Dos Santos headed it down and it deflected off the head of defender Daniel Steres.

Tim Howard made several quality saves in the first half for Colorado. He guarded the near post on Alan Gordon's open header in the 17th minute and got a hand on Sebastian Lletget's breakaway opportunity in the 22nd.

Colorado's best scoring chance came in the 59th minute when Jermaine Jones' strike from distance was knocked wide by Brian Rowe.