MARCELO SARVAS SCORED the only goal as the LA Galaxy beat the Seattle Sounders 1-0 in the first leg of their MLS Western Conference final.

Sarvas’ deflected shot early in the second half gave Bruce Arena’s side the advantage as they bid to make their fourth MLS Cup final in six years.

The second leg is in Seattle on Sunday.

“Of all the results, that was probably the third best,” Landon Donovan admitted.

“2-0 or 3-0 would have been second and first best. But, they had a few chances too, and keeping that team scoreless isn’t easy.”

Seattle, who only conceded one goal in their conference semi-final, tried to ruffle their hosts with a physical approach.

Robbie Keane said: “We try to play for a win. We don’t have kids on our team. We are grown men. If someone is going to tackle, we’ll tackle back.

I don’t want to talk about the physicality of the game – it’s what we do. It’s a man’s game.

“You have to accept that there will be a few tackles, a few elbows. It’s part of the game. You have to give as good as you get.”

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