DENVER, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Carlos Ruiz broke MLS records for goals and points in a single playoff year Wednesday night, and sent the Los Angeles Galaxy into the MLS Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.
Ruiz scored his seventh playoff goal in the 64th minute for the Galaxy, who will face New England or Columbus as they seek their first MLS Cup title. They took the first-to-five-point series, 6-0.
Ruiz, a finalist for MVP honors, has seven goals and two assists for 16 points, eclipsing the mark set in 2000 by Ante Razov of the Chicago Fire. The previous mark for postseason goals was six, shared by Roy Lassiter and Raul Diaz Arce.
Colorado did not go down without a fight.
By replacing defender Ritchie Kotschau with Rick Titus, Rapids Coach Tim Hankinson tried to slow the Galaxy. The move seemed to spark Colorado, which used its speed up front against the larger, stronger Los Angeles defense.
A quick counterattack nearly put the Rapids ahead in the 31st minute. Carlos Valderrama began the play in the center of the field, finding fellow midfielder Chris Henderson at the top of the penalty area. Henderson tried a give-and-go with midfielder Mark Chung, but the MVP finalist missed Henderson with the return pass.
The scoring opportunity seemed to energize Colorado, which came close to grabbing the lead in the 41st minute. But Henderson's one-time right-footed blast hit the right goalpost and Chung sent the rebound wide of the net.
The Galaxy did not threaten until breaking through in the 64th minute.
Seconds after coming on for midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos, substitute Peter Vagenas sprung Cobi Jones down the left wing.
Jones lifted a cross to Ruiz at the penalty spot in front of goalkeeper David Kramer. As the ball floated over Chung, Ruiz flicked it into the left corner of the goal.
