With their backs to the wall, the LA Galaxy prevailed in a shootout, outlasting Minnesota United 3-1 Sunday afternoon to put themselves in the driver’s seat heading into the final game of the season next week vs. Houston.

If LA wins, they make the MLS Cup playoffs.

You might have expected a nervy opening, but Dom Kinnear’s side looked comfortable save a few bad turnovers. In the 30th minute, Zlatan gave the 50,000 plus fans in attendance their money’s worth, getting on the end of an excellent cross from Rolf Feltscher to silence the crowd.

After withstanding an early second half push, LA scored two stunning strikes in two minutes to pad their lead. First the persistent Ola Kamara who just had a shot cleared off the line beat the MNUTD back line to a simple finish before a picture-perfect Zlatan Ibrahimovic cross allowed Romain Alessandrini to smash a low volley which beat the beleaguered Matt Lampson.

Minutes later Angelo Rodriguez would nod home a floating cross past David Bingham, and Loons manager Adrian Heath piled on attackers in a bid to get back in the match, but LA held on to grind out a priceless road win.