Landon Donovan scored a hat trick and had an assist as well to lead the LA Galaxy to a 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. RSL were truly never at it in this one, and Donovan put in a performance for the ages to send the Galaxy through to the 2014 MLS Cup Western Conference Final.

The LA Galaxy got off to an absolute perfect start in this one when Galaxy and USMNT legend Donovan opened the scoring. LA came forward with a great move, and Gyasi Zardes clipped a fantastic ball back across the six yard box. Donovan darted back across the face of goal and glance in a wonderful header.

Just 10 minutes later, it was Donovan who created the second. Juninho slipped him in down the left channel, and Donovan dusted Real Salt Lake defender Tony Beltran. He cut the ball back across the face of goal to the on-rushing Robbie Keane, who had just gotten back from an offside position, and the Irish striker slid to get his foot to the ball and finish. After a 0-0 stalemate in the first leg, this one developed into a remarkably exciting match right away.

On 26 minutes, Donovan really should have made it 3-0 and put the game to bed. He and Keane played a great 1-2 with each other, and Donovan was played in. No defender stepped up to challenge, and he was allowed to carry freely to within 15 yards of the goal. His touch just let him down there, and he sliced his shot wide.

Marcelo Sarvas nearly made it 3-0 for LA on 32 minutes when he strode through the defense. He shrugged off two or three challenges before attempting a strike, but it was blocked.

A wrench was thrown into LA's plan when starting center back Leonardo was forced off with an apparent leg injury in the 37th minute. He was replaced by young defender Tommy Meyer, who gave a good account of himself in this one.

In the 43rd minute, the Galaxy had their best chance yet to go 3-0 up. Donovan was the playmaker yet again, as he slipped in Zardes with a fantastic ball. The striker looked to just finesse the ball into the side netting, but Nick Rimando stood tall to keep it at 2-0. 

The 2-0 lead for the Galaxy at the half was richly deserved after their complete domination. They must have been a bit disappointed not to have been in the lead by more, but Real Salt Lake could have no complaints about the halftime score.

LA had yet another chance in the 48th minute when Stefan Ishizaki was played in. He had time and space on the edge of the box, but looked like he couldn't decide whether to shoot or cross. In the end, he split the difference and played a weak ball across the box and it was held easily by Rimando.

The Galaxy started the second half in the same vein they had finished the first. They continued to swarm RSL, and Keane had a wonderful chance to finish out the tie. Donovan slid a ball to him at the top of the 18 yard box, but the Irishman failed to keep the strike down.

In the 55th minute, Donovan finally put the match out of reach. He may have struggled over the last few weeks, but he was in the form of his life in this one. Keane played him through on goal, and Donovan rounded Rimando before finishing coolly into an empty net.

RSL applied some pressure for the first time in 58th minute, and finally forced Jaime Penedo to make a save. A great cross in from Javier Morales found the head of Kyle Beckerman, and the midfielder got off a bullet header that Jaime Penedo had to be at full stretch to keep out.

It was 4-0 on 63 minutes. The Galaxy carved RSL apart yet again. Robbie Rogers strode forward before sending a ball cutting back through the midfield which found Keane, and he slipped in Marcelo Sarvas. He touched the ball back across Nat Borchers and slid the ball past Rimando at his near post.

We nearly had a goal for RSL on 66 minutes when Robbie Findley got his head to a corner, but his header flashed high over the bar. It was a very poor finish from the all-time playoff goal scorer for RSL.

On 72 minutes, the Donovan picked up his hat trick and made it 5-0. Keane picked up his head 22 yards out from goal and lobbed a ball over the RSL back line for Donovan who volleyed past Rimando. With that goal, Donovan completed the first MLS Cup Playoffs hat trick of the century.

In the 80th minute, Keane nearly widened the scoreline. The RSL defense failed to deal with a ball over the top, and the striker attempted to lob the keeper and eventually forced Rimando to tip the ball over the bar.

Donovan received his curtain call in the 82nd minute, and was applauded off the pitch by all in attendance. He produced one of finest performances in MLS history in this match, and this performance for the ages will not soon be forgotten.

A horrible clearance from Ned Grabavoy on 88 minutes nearly gifted LA a sixth goal. Grabavoy cleared backwards right to substitute Alan Gordon, but the striker fired the ball off the outside of the post. Just a minute later, Rimando was again forced into action as Juninho strode forward and had a deflected shot saved.

In the end, it was a truly horrible performance from RSL, but nothing should be taken away from the magnificence of the LA Galaxy tonight. They were simply out of this world; one might even say in another Galaxy...

Player Ratings:

LA Galaxy:

Penedo 7, Rogers 7, Gonzalez 7, Leonardo 8, DeLaGarza 7, Juninho 8, Sarvas 8, Donovan 10, Ishizaki 8, Zardes 8, Keane 8 Subs: Meyer 7, Gargan 6, Gordon N/A

Real Salt Lake:

Rimando 6, Schuler 4, Wingert 4, Borchers 3, Beltran 1, Morales 4, Beckerman 5, Mulholland 3, Grabavoy 4, Plata 4, Saborio 3 Subs: Gil 4, Findley 4, Jaime 4

Man of the Match:

Landon Donovan. This one is not even a question. The legend added yet another chapter tonight with a performance that will be remembered for a long time. He was simply superb tonight.

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About the author
Liam McMahon
American sports journalist based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin who has been affiliated with VAVEL for more than a year. Co-editor of the soccer section at VAVEL USA and international football writer at VAVEL UK.