Galaxy break through win 2-1 win over Toronto

June 6, 9:36 PMLos Angeles Galaxy ExaminerRichard Manfredi

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Edson Buddle celebrates his game-winning goal
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)

Understand this, Galaxy fans - pending other results tonight, your team is one point out of a playoff spot. Which is impressive for a team that most people had left for dead just a few games into the season, and downright remarkable for a team with only one win on the year.

Make that two wins. Showing the resilience that has become a hallmark of the 2009 version of the Galaxy, plus the ability to finish that has been lacking at times this year, the Galaxy went on the road to one of the toughest environments in MLS and emerged with a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC to break a five-game streak of draws and get their first road victory of the season.

Edson Buddle provided the game-winner in the 77th minute, calmly firing a curling shot around Toronto keeper Stefan Frei after being slotted through by a nifty pass from Alan Gordon. It was Buddle’s second goal in as many games, proving that he’s well on the road to being healthy and ready to pick up the scoring slack left by Landon Donovan’s departure for the next four games to the U.S. National Team.

The Galaxy looked destined for their sixth straight draw after Toronto equalized in the 64th minute. Chris Barrett fired a shot off the post that fell to Carl Robinson, who fired a shot that was saved by a sprawling Donovan Ricketts. But Danny Dichio was there to tap in the rebound, even though it appeared he had been offside when the play started and never played back onside.

Los Angeles had pulled ahead in the sixth minute, as the beleaguered Gordon - who had missed several open chances in the team’s 1-1 draw with Kansas City last weekend - found the target on a header from an Eddie Lewis cross, as Toronto failed to mark one of the Galaxy’s main set piece targets and gave Gordon an easy chance he didn’t miss.

The win keeps the Galaxy unbeaten on the road this season, and with 15 points pulls them within one point of Toronto, Colorado, Columbus and Kansas City for the final MLS Cup wild card playoff spot. Los Angeles’ next MLS game is next Saturday when they host Real Salt Lake, who they played to an exciting 2-2 draw in Utah earlier this season. They will also host Costa Rican side Sport Herediano on Tuesday in an exhibition match.