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Published: Monday November 9, 2009 MYT 11:51:00 AM
Updated: Monday November 9, 2009 MYT 11:57:04 AM

Donovan sends Galaxy into West finals vs. Houston

CARSON, California (AP) - Landon Donovan's 73rd-minute penalty gave Los Angeles Galaxy a 1-0 win over Chivas USA on Sunday and a spot in the Major League Soccer Western Conference final against Houston.

The Galaxy win means star recruit David Beckham will miss England's international friendly against Brazil next weekend to remain with his MLS club.

Donovan equaled an MLS record with his 16th postseason goal and put the Galaxy through 3-2 on aggregate after a 2-2 draw last week. The Galaxy will host Houston in a single match Friday night to determine who goes to the MLS Cup final against the Eastern Conference champion.

Donovan converted after Chivas USA's Yamith Cuesta fouled Mike Magee in the area.

At Houston, Brian Ching scored six minutes into overtime to put the Dynamo into the conference final for the third time in four years with a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders.

A scoreless draw at Seattle in the first leg set up a winner-takes-all match in the return match.

Houston defender Mike Chabala set up the winning shot with a high cross from the left. The ball deflected off midfielder Brian Mullan and into the path of Ching, who beat goalkeeper Kasey Keller with a shot to the top left corner.

"I just kind of turned and hit one of the best shots of my life," Ching said. "I was happy to see that go in."

Houston won the MLS championships in 2006 and '07, and Ching said the team drew on that experience as Sunday's game wore on.

"We've put expectations on ourselves," Ching said. "Every year, we're one of those teams that realistically feels like we're one of those teams that can win the MLS Cup. The proof is in our results."

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