Colorado Rapids defeat LA Galaxy on penalties, advance to conference final

The Colorado Rapids defeated the LA Galaxy 3-1 on penalties to advance to the Western Conference Championship after the two teams finished the home and away series level at 1-1 on aggregate.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard proved the hero on the night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, saving penalties from Ashley Cole and Jeff Larentowicz, with LA Galaxy star Giovani Dos Santos also shooting his spot kick high.

Rapids star midfielder Shkelzen Gashi restored the aggregate tie in the 35th minute of play with a screamer from long distance, canceling out Dos Santos' goal from the first leg at the StubHub Center.

An extra 30 minutes could not separate the two teams after the regulation 90 and the LA Galaxy crumbled in front of Howard's goal, with Galaxy 'keeper Brian Rowe conceding each of Colorado's first three attempts.

Related - Watch: Howard plays hero to oust LA Galaxy on penalties

The Rapids now advance to the conference final to take on one of FC Dallas or the Seattle Sounders; the two teams round off the Conference Semifinals on Sunday evening, with Seattle holding a 3-0 aggregate lead over Dallas heading into Toyota Stadium in Texas.