CARSON, Calif. -- Although the Los Angeles Galaxy opened their MLS title defence with the result Landon Donovan wanted, hes hoping they dont regret their missed chances to make it even better. Sean Franklin scored on a dramatic 27-yard strike just after halftime, and the Galaxy began their run at a third straight league championship with a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Sunday night in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals. Franklins first goal in more than five months provided a small advantage for the third-seeded Galaxy when the clubs head to Utah on Thursday for the second leg. The Galaxy were good, dominating possession and effectively shuttering Reals attack, but they could have been even better. Donovan and Robbie Keane had numerous chances up front throughout the match, but repeatedly failed to provide additional cushion for the Galaxy. "We put a lot of pressure on them throughout the night, so theres going to be some cracks," Donovan said. "Robbie and I need to do a better job with our counterattacks. Usually were better than that. I have a feeling were going to have a lot more chances Thursday as the game goes on as they open up and expose themselves, and were fine with that." Jaime Penedo posted his fifth shutout in 10 MLS matches for the Galaxy, who are in search of their league-record fifth MLS Cup title. Los Angeles is trying to become the first MLS team to win three consecutive titles despite losing two key components of its previous championship teams: star midfielder David Beckham and goal-scorer Mike Magee. The Galaxy are in prime position to make that run, but a couple of extra goals would have helped from an otherwise one-sided game. Keane barely missed a goal on a breakaway in the 85th minute, pushing a low shot just wide of the far post. The Irish international star scored 16 MLS goals for the second straight regular season. "We certainly left a few chances out there, but we cant score every time," Keane said. "I wasnt connecting with the ball properly. You have nights like this. Its not something Im going to lose any sleep over." Salt Lake, which had a four-game unbeaten streak and a lengthy break before the playoffs, might have a sleepless night after an ineffective performance at StubHub Center. Los Angeles largely controlled the flow against second-seeded Salt Lake in a matchup of franchises with three of the last four MLS titles between them. "On a different night, Keane and Donovan are going to kill you on those," Real coach Jason Kreis said. "We werent good enough. We gave the ball away cheaply so many times in so many dangerous spots. ... Players need to be better. Were just missing some simple passes. Our better players need to be better, and they will." Keane and Donovan both missed on impressive runs in the opening minutes, and Reals Chris Schuler slid in from behind to knock the ball off Donovans foot at the goalmouth in the 42nd minute. But Franklin thrilled the Galaxys lively sellout crowd in the 47th minute when he collected an errant pass from Keane well outside the penalty area and put a rocket of a shot inside Nick Rimandos left post. Franklin, a stalwart defender, hadnt scored since May 26. "The ball just came out on top of the box, and I had time and space to hit it," Franklin said. "Once I opened my eyes up, the ball was in the back of the net." Real had its best chance in the 80th minute, but substitute forward Devon Sandoval fell down on contact with a Los Angeles defender while closing in on Luis Gils pass in front of the Galaxy goal. Los Angeles entered the playoffs unbeaten in four straight games after allowing just one goal in its entire October schedule. The Galaxy have never lost in the two-leg conference semifinals since MLS adopted the playoff format in 2003, advancing eight times. These clubs met in the MLS Cup final in 2009, with Real Salt Lake winning its only league title on penalty kicks. Torry Holt Rams Jersey . Swansea capitalized on the 80th-minute sending-off of substitute Fabio Da Silva by scoring in the last minute through Wilfried Bony in a 2-1 win at United, the latest setback for David Moyes in his turbulent first season with the English champions. Rob Havenstein Womens Jersey . The Jets have now won three straight games at home, three of their last four overall and for only the second time this season they have won back-to-back games. The Sharks meanwhile are 0-1-4 in their last five. Dan Boyle opened the scoring for San Jose on a power play and, despite having been outshot 10-3 at that point, the Sharks were up 1-0. http://... . Finance Minister Jim Flahertys latest budget -- released Tuesday while many Canadians were likely more interested on the Winter Games -- includes a $23-million annual boost in sports funding, starting next year. [url=http://www.shopramsusjersey.com/women-torry-holt-rams-jersey-sale/]Torry Holt Jersey . AS Roma said Monday that the 24-year-old Strootman will undergo surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and possibly damaging the meniscus in his left knee during Sundays 1-0 loss at Napoli. Jamon Brown Jersey . The 2014 contract of the injured New York Mets star contains unusual provisions that reward him for 2013 accomplishments.Michael Sam will face a daunting set of challenges that most rookies dont have to deal with when making the already formidable jump from college to the NFL. The SECs co-defensive player of the year is about to find out if Americas most popular sport, rooted in machismo and entrenched in locker room hijinks, is ready for its first openly gay player. First, hell have to find a team willing to put up with the media circus that will surround him. Then, hell have to find acceptance like he did at Missouri, where his sexuality was a non-issue during a 12-2 season. Only now, hell face opponents and their fans who know hes gay. He might even face cheap shots and teammates hesitant to shower alongside him or undress in his presence. While several teams and coaches said Monday that Sams sexual orientation wouldnt affect his draft status, former NFL punter Chris Kluwe, who contends his championing of gay rights led to his release from the Minnesota Vikings last year, wasnt so sure. "The majority of players will be supportive of Michael Sam or just wont care," Kluwe said. "Youll have isolated guys here and there who might try to make a fuss about it, but players by and large are very much, Hey, were here to do a job, were here to go out and play football. "In terms of the coaching/front office side, I think theres where issues are going to arise because they are going to look at this like, Hey, is this going to cause a distraction for the team? And by distraction, they mean, Were not really OK with having a gay player on our team, we cant come out and say that, so were going to use the word distraction," Kluwe added. "And unfortunately, those are the people who determine if youre employed or not." John Elway has a unique perspective running the Broncos front office now after a Hall of Fame playing career, and he said Monday hed have no problem drafting Sam. "We will evaluate Michael just like any other draft prospect: on the basis of his ability, character and NFL potential. His announcement will have no effect on how we see him as a football player," Elway said. "Having spent 16 years in an NFL locker room, the bottom line is that its about treating others with respect and earning that respect. By all indications, it appears Michael has done just that throughout his football career." Several coaches saaid if a player is accountable and a winner, being gay is a non-issue.dddddddddddd "If anybody can come in and help us win games and be successful -- black, white, yellow, straight, gay -- I dont think it matters," said new Green Bay quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt. Before Sam revealed his sexual orientation, the pass-rusher was projected as a mid-round draft pick. Kluwe said reports that Sams draft stock could drop because he revealed his sexual orientation "basically could have been lifted from any American sporting paper in the 1940s when Jackie Robinson was about to enter Major League Baseball. Its like weve been here before. Why do we have to keep doing the same thing?" Sam will likely face even more scrutiny from opponents fans than Chargers linebacker Manti Teo did after getting fooled by a hoax involving a fake girlfriend while at Notre Dame. What will help Sam is landing on a team with strong veteran leadership, something that was lacking in Miami, where tackle Jonathan Martin walked away at midseason, alleging guard Richie Incognito led daily harassment with racial, aggressive and sexually charged comments. Incognito was suspended for the final eight games and Martins career was thrown in limbo. Former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley said Sams performance on the field and as a teammate should quickly overshadow any stereotypes about sexual orientation. "I dont think he faces any challenges as a player. I dont think he faces a lot of challenges as a person," Cooley said. "I think once he establishes himself as the kind of teammate hes going to be, I think everybody will accept it fine." Eagles All-Pro guard Evan Mathis said Sam will face obstacles no matter what. "NFL players shouldnt judge Michael Sam based on his sexuality but some guys will. MLB players shouldnt have judged Jackie Robinson based on his skin colour but some did," Mathis said. "Whether or not the NFL is ready for it, it needs to happen. There are still people on this Earth who lived through the prohibition of alcohol and the Civil Rights movement. They can look back and reflect on how primitive those times were. "Current generations will look back at marijuana prohibition and gays having to fight for equal rights and think how primitive those times were." cheap jerseys cheap jerseys china cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '