Friberg the unlikely hero as Seattle boots LA Galaxy from playoffs

Erik Friberg timed his first goal of the season perfectly as his left-footed volley sent the Seattle Sounders through to the Western Conference semifinals at the expense of the LA Galaxy on Wednesday.

The Swedish midfielder capitalised on a slip from aged shot-stopper Donovan Ricketts to arrow a precise strike from outside the area.

It's a deserved result for the host as Seattle assumed control during the second half, and laid bare the inadequacies of a Galaxy outfit which limped into the match with just one win in its last nine games.

The opening half, however, was even, and a showcase of excitable - if a little scrappy - brilliance.

Three goals were promptly exchanged between the pair as the home side opted for direct balls to its frightening duo of Clint Dempsey and birthday boy Obafemi Martins, while the visitor looked to capitalise on the gap between the Sounders' defence and midfield that was made all the more inviting due to the absence of Osvaldo Alonso.

The fourth goal - from Gyasi Zardes - just before a quarter of the game had elapsed, was the last of the first 45 but it was not lacking in incident as the game continued with pace and physicality familiar between these two MLS giants.

The Sounders took control from the very beginning of the second period, with Dempsey denied by a springing save from Ricketts and Martins wastefully blasting over in the first few minutes.

An impressive goal-line clearance from Steven Gerrard on 68 minutes kept the home side at bay for just five minutes though, as Friberg fired his side into the Western Conference semifinals.

A Portland win tomorrow will see Seattle face Western Conference topper FC Dallas, and a Sporting Kansas City win would instead see the Sounders take on the Vancouver Whitecaps.