The Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy huffed and puffed under the hot Texas sun on Sunday, and it took an unsightly goal from Alan Gordon to decide matters.
On a day when the temperature climbed high enough above the 90-degree mark to necessitate in-game water breaks at BBVA Compass Stadium, rhythm and attacking quality was in short supply.
But the Galaxy's veteran target man got into the right place at the right time on his birthday to deflect David Horst's attempted clearance into the net, keeping LA on course to host a Knockout Round game in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs via possession of third place in the Western Conference.