The Galaxy ended a 12-match run without a win in a seven-goal thriller at the Home Depot Center on Saturday evening as Landon Donovan scored a hat-trick to take his season tally to 19 during a 5-2 win over D.C United.
Things didn't start well for the Galaxy and they were a goal behind within 75 seconds of the start when Devon McTavish fired home from inside the six-yard box. The home team began to settle though and Landon Donovan restored parity in the 23rd minute with a flick from the outside of his boot.
By the 36th minute Donovan had doubled his tally with a 22-yard effort and the Galaxy were in the lead.
Two minutes later it was 3-1 as Alan Gordon added to the scoreline with a simple finish.
The second half began the same as the first with a United goal. Thabiso Kumalo shot into an empty net after Galaxy 'keeper Josh Wicks had misread the situation and found himself out of position.
In the 63rd minute the Galaxy were a man down when Marc Burch was given a red card for kicking at David's heels as the midfielder tried to shepherd the ball out of play.
The Galaxy capitalised on their one man advantage by scoring a fourth in the 81st minute as Donovan set up Peter Vagenas to volley home. Donovan then scored his hat-trick goal in stoppage time, rounding the 'keeper to make the final score 5-2.
The win takes the Galaxy to fifth place in the Western Conference and just two points off a playoff place. They now face two away matches on the spin to Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew.