Kofi Opare scored his first career goal midway through the second half as his side Los Angeles Galaxy pulled out a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Impact on Wednesday night.
Opare, a rookie defender, spun and chipped the ball into the net from a scramble in the Montreal box following a corner kick in the 68th minute.
The Galaxy climbed to third place in the Western Conference, just two points off the lead with two games to play.
The two-time defending MLS Cup champions can clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie Sunday against San Jose.
Los Angeles, playing without injured forward Landon Donovan and defender Omar Gonzalez, was in command throughout and could have added to its advantage.