San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy, 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs: Galaxy turn it around in 2nd leg, lead 3-1

Defensive breakdowns, not bad luck, doomed the Earthquakes

Once Victor Bernardez was forced to leave the game, the LA Galaxy were able to exploit the holes in the Earthquakes defense.

Video: Earthquakes fans sing for their players outside locker room after being eliminated

An hour after being eliminated from the MLS playoffs, the Earthquakes fans were singing for the team outside the players' locker room. Their fans don't say die either.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy: Final score 1-3, LA comes back to book West finals spot 3-2 on aggregate

The LA Galaxy scored three times in San Jose to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg and advance to the Western Conference finals.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy: Robbie Keane adds a second and LA leads on aggregate

The LA Galaxy just might be able to turn around a 1-0 deficit in the second leg at the San Jose Earthquakes after all. After Robbie Keane scored to get the tie level on aggregate, he added a second one and now the Galaxy are in front 2-1. If this holds, the Supporters' Shield winners will be out and the defending champions will be going through to the Western Conference finals.

Landon Donovan created the goal in the center of the pitch, collecting the ball and running at the Earthquakes defense on the break. Once the defense gravitated to him, and Daniel Hernandez stepped to him, he played a nice little ball with the outside of his right foot to Keane, who made a perfectly timed run. Keane side-stepped an onrushing Jon Busch and put it into the empty net to put LA in front.

The Earthquakes are only a goal down and late tallies are their thing, but now their backs are really against the wall. If they can't find a goal, and this is their first playoffs with their current group, they are done.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy: Robbie Keane rocket puts Galaxy level on aggregate

The LA Galaxy are back in this tie. After falling behind 1-0 in the first leg at home, few gave LA a chance in the second leg away to the Supporters' Shield winners San Jose Earthquakes, but they are back in this tie. A 25-yard rocket by Robbie Kane struck the inside of the post and found the net to get the Galaxy level on aggregate at 1-1.

There is still a long ways to go for LA, who are only tied now and are not in front and still playing the league's best team away, but the early going changes this tie. All of a sudden the Galaxy have a chance.

One reason they have a chance is because of the right knee sprain to Victor Bernardez. The injury forced him to be subbed off early and brought Ike Opara into the match, who was at fault on the goal. He didn't step up on Keane, who used that space to hit his rocket and this tie is all even.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy, 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs: The tactical battle still yet to get going

The Galaxy and Earthquakes both took a minimalist approach to tactics in the first leg, but that is unlikely to be enough on Wednesday.