MLS: Real Salt Lake 2, Los Angeles 1

CARSON, Calif., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Fabian Espindola netted two goals Saturday and Real Salt Lake strengthened its playoff position with a 2-1 decision over Los Angeles.

Espindola's two goals came within 3 minutes of each other in the first half.

He first scored in the 25th minute off an assist from Alvaro Saborio, tying the score 1-1, then headed in a Javier Morales cross in the 28th minute for the decisive tally.

The victory gave RSL (17-11-4) the inside track for the second seed in the Western Conference, moving the squad five points ahead of the third-place Galaxy (15-11-4) and six in front of Seattle (13-7-10).

Robbie Keane scored for the Galaxy, who lost Landon Donovan late in the second half to an injury.