LA Galaxy vs. Herediano: Final score 4-1, Galaxy dominate to book semifinal spot

The LA Galaxy thumped Herediano, 4-1, Wednesday night in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal to book their spot in the semifinal. LA will now play two-time defending champions Monterrey in the next round for a spot in the tournament final.

LA and Herediano played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg, which was a job well done for the Galaxy. But a year ago, the Galaxy got an away draw in the first leg of the quarterfinals, too, only to lose at home in the second leg and be eliminated. This time around, they made sure that wouldn't happen again.

Omar Gonzalez got LA off on the right foot in the 18th minute when he rose to meet a Juninho corner kick and headed it home. But a 1-1 draw wouldn't put the Galaxy through to the next round so they kept pushing for another goal just in case. They got it after the break when Jose Villarreal hit a gorgeous curling shot that put LA 2-0 up. Robbie Keane added to that in the 83rd minute with a goal of his own and the Galaxy were cruising.

With a three-goal lead and a little bit of breathing room, the Galaxy let up and Herediano took advantage. Elias Aguilar scored five minutes from time to give the visitors some hope, but it wasn't nearly enough.

Jack McBean joined Villarreal as a teenage goalscorer in stoppage time with one more goal for the Galaxy that put a ribbon on their 4-1 win and spot in the semifinals.