CARSON, Calif. — Edson Buddle scored in the 78th minute to give the LosAngeles Galaxy a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday night.

The Galaxy (9-13-6) used their fifth consecutive victory to move within fourpoints of Chicago and Kansas City, which are tied for the final spot in theeight-team MLS playoffs.

“For us to be sitting and talking about this right now is probablysurprising,” said Galaxy coach Frank Yallop, whose team once had an eight-gamewinless streak. “But we’re believing we can win now, and that’s a huge thingfor any team.”

Toronto FC (6-17-6) is winless in 15 of its past 16 league and exhibitiongames.

Landon Donovan began the play that led to the winning goal with a pass toChris Klein, who beat defender Miguel Canizalez on the right side of the penaltyarea.

An unmarked Buddle, who entered the game in the 77th minute, receivedKlein’s pass and fired an 8-yard shot that hit the underside of the top of thenet.

“They were a little bit tentative and nervous,” Toronto coach Mo Johnstonsaid of the Galaxy. “But when you’ve got Landon Donovan performing the way he’sbeen performing, you know that your team can do anything at any given time.”

Donovan gave the Galaxy a 1-0 lead by converting a penalty kick in the 56thminute. Collin Samuel tied the score with a 21-yard shot in the 68th minute.

Toronto played with 10 men after Marco Reda was ejected in the 54th minutefor pulling Gavin Glinton’s jersey in the penalty area. The foul resulted inDonovan’s penalty kick.

Reda and teammate Adam Braz will be suspended for Toronto’s season finaleOct. 20 against New England. Braz received a yellow card in the 35th minute.

Toronto played without defender Andrew Boyens (New Zealand) and midfieldersCarl Robinson (Wales) and Maurice Edu (United States), who made the rosters oftheir respective national teams for games this week.