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Real Salt Lake 2, Galaxy 0

(Rusnak 65′, Kreilach 72′)

Needing a win to climb back into playoff position, Real Salt Lake used a strong second-half showing to overcome the Galaxy at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday.

Albert Rusnak converted a penalty kick, then set up Damir Kreilach for an insurance tally to top a Galaxy side that has been shut out for three straight matches.

RSL struck first in the 65th minute when David Bingham brought down Justin Meram in the penalty area, setting up an Rusnak penalty kick finish.

The Galaxy failed to find an equalizer before Kreilach put the match out of reach when he headed home a Rusnak cross to seal the win.

RSL moved into eighth place in the West with the win, while the Galaxy sliding down to 10th place in the Western Conference, two points behind RSL for the final playoff spot.

The Galaxy play host to the Seattle Sounders on Sunday while RSL visits Minnesota United.

Man of the Match

Albert Rusnak converted a penalty kick and assisted on Damir Kreilach’s second-half insurance tally.

Moment of the Match

Justin Meram drew a penalty on David Bingham after an impressive passing sequence from the home team.

Match to Forget

Javier Hernandez. Six Galaxy players finished the match with at least one shot, and none of them was named Chicharito, who was nowhere to be found during his 80 minutes on the field.

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Timbers 1, Sounders 0

(Yimmi Chara 13′)

Take your stats and throw them out the window. Hosting the Seattle Sounders at Providence Park on Wednesday night, the Portland Timbers ceded 66 percent of possession in their own building, and were outshot 19-9 on the night.

They still stood victorious at the final whistle.

The Sounders controlled affairs with a fluid attack to open the match, but Timbers midfielder Yimmi Chara opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Jeremy Ebobisse assisted, playing Chara into a chasm of space in the heart of the penalty area. The Sounders created — and wasted — chance after chance over the rest of the half, leaving the Timbers on top at the break.

After living dangerously for much of the first half, the Timbers defended from deep over the final 45 minutes. While the Sounders continued to dominate possession, good looks at goal were few and far between. Jordan Morris had the last decent chance of the night, heading an 83rd minute cross over the crossbar.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Yimmi Chara. Scored the lone goal, yes, but also threatened repeatedly and teamed up well with Ebobisse throughout. With Sebastian Blanco out for the season with a torn ACL, the Timbers will need consistent offense from somewhere if they hope to stay in the mix.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Joevin Jones left the match with an injury in the 53rd minute, and the Sounders desperately missed his attacking prowess down the stretch.

MATCH TO FORGET

Raul Ruidiaz. Ruthlessly efficient of late, the Peruvian striker failed to capitalize on multiple scoring chances Wednesday night. He latched onto a Jordan Morris cross in the opening minutes, but sent a 10-yard shot directly to goalkeeper Steve Clark. Later in the first half he caught Clark well off his line, but sent a routine chip shot bouncing wide.

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LAFC 6, Whitecaps 0

(Jakovic 2′, Wright-Phillips 5′, 11′, Veselinovic OG 14′, Rossi 33′, Rose OG 68′)

After five losses in seven matches, LAFC was in desperate need of a good performance and that is what the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners delivered, blitzing the Whitecaps with four early goals en route to a six-goal drubbing of the Whitecaps.

Dejan Jakovic scored just two minutes into the match, but it was a pair of Bradley Wright-Phillips goals just six minutes apart that set the stage for a lopsided win for LAFC at Banc of California Stadium.

Wright-Phillips was denied a hat-trick, but did force a Whitecaps own goal to make it 4-0 after just 14 minutes.

As impressive as LAFC’s attacking display was, Bob Bradley was probably even happier to see his team record a shutout after having surrendered 15 goals in six matches. In fact, it was LAFC’s first shutout since the team’s season-opening win against Inter Miami.

LAFC returns to action on Sunday against struggling San Jose, while the Whitecaps take on Portland in Portland.

Man of the Match

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored a pair of beautiful goals in the first 11 minutes to help set the tone for the romp.

Moment of the Match

Both of Wright-Phillips’ goals were almost identical side volleys, but we’ll give the nod to the second one, which made the score 3-0 and deflated the Whitecaps after just 11 minutes.

Match to Forget

Ranko Veselinovic was lost for much of his 45 minutes, and even before the own goal he scored he had been at fault on multiple big chances for LAFC. leading to him being replaced at halftime.