CARSON, Calif. - Herculez Gomez scored twice to give the Los Angeles Galaxy a 2-1 victory Saturday over FC Dallas.
The Galaxy (13-12-6) moved into second place in the Western Conference, holding a two-point edge over Dallas (12-10-7) with one game left.
The defeat extended Dallas' road losing streak against Los Angeles to nine games since 2002.
Gomez broke a 1-1 tie in the 45th minute with his 11th goal of the season.
Gomez intercepted David Wagenfuhr's pass at the midfield stripe with his chest, then headed the ball forward to begin a solo run that ended with a 17-yard diagonal chip inside the right post.
Gomez gave the Galaxy a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute. He ran onto Ned Grabavoy's long pass, beat defender Clarence Goodson and took a 7-yard shot from a wide angle that ricocheted off the left post and into the net.
Aaron Pitchkolan tied the score in the 42nd minute. Pitchkolan intercepted defender Ugo Ihemelu's clearance and kicked a 19-yard shot into upper-right corner of the net.
Dallas played with 10 men after defender Greg Vanney received a red card in the 50th minute.
Dallas also played without midfielder Ronnie O'Brien, who injured his lower back in Wednesday night's 1-0 loss to Los Angeles in the U.S. Open Cup final.
The Galaxy won without forward Landon Donovan, who sprained his left ankle in the U.S. Open Cup final. Donovan leads the league with seven game-winning goals.