Sarvas puts Galaxy past Seattle 1-0 in West opener

Seattle Sounders FC defender Deindre Yedlin, left, falls as Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane goes after the ball during the first half of a Major League Soccer playoff game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Seattle Sounders FC defender Deindre Yedlin, left, falls as Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane goes after the ball during the first half of a Major League Soccer playoff game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

By Associated Press November 23, 2014 1 min read

CARSON, Calif. (AP) – Marcelo Sarvas scored in the 52nd minute, and the LA Galaxy opened the Western Conference championship with a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday.

Jaime Penedo posted his third straight shutout for the Galaxy, who still haven’t conceded a playoff goal this season. Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane and the Galaxy also haven’t lost at home since their season opener in March, and they kept the Supporters’ Shield-winning Sounders off the scoresheet in a tense, chippy match.

The clubs play their second leg Nov. 30 on Seattle’s artificial turf. The Galaxy could advance with a variety of results, since the tiebreaker is away goals.

The winner hosts the MLS Cup on Dec. 7.