Galaxy’s Gabriel Pec and Emiro Garces celebrate Pec’s goal in the second half of a MLS Western Conference semifinal against Minnesota United at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Galaxy’s Marco Reus heads the ball against Minnesota United’s Jefferson Diaz during a MLS Western Conference semifinal at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Galaxy’s Gabriel Pec is tackled by Minnesota United’s Jefferson Diaz during a MLS Western Conference semifinal at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Galaxy’s Riqui Puig controls the ball pressured by Minnesota United’s Wil Trapp during a MLS Western Conference semifinal at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Minnesota United’s Carlos Harvey is tackled in the area by Galaxy’s Dejan Joveljic for a penalty during a MLS Western Conference semifinal at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Galaxy’s Gabriel Pec dribbles the ball as Minnesota United’s Jefferson Diaz tries to take the ball from him during a MLS Western Conference semifinal at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Galaxy’s Maya Yoshida tries to block Minnesota United’s Kevin Yeboah during a MLS Western Conference semifinal at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Galaxy players celebrate after scoring their sixth goal of the day against Minnesota United during a MLS Western Conference semifinal at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Galaxy’s Gabriel Pec celebrates his goal against Minnesota United during a MLS Western Conference semifinal at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Show Caption1 of 9Galaxy’s Gabriel Pec and Emiro Garces celebrate Pec’s goal in the second half of a MLS Western Conference semifinal against Minnesota United at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Expand CARSON — The Galaxy fired the first blow inside 30 seconds of Sunday’s Western Conference semifinal. Minnesota United responded soon, scoring an equalizer in the sixth minute, officially adding a bit of suspense to the game, but if there’s anything capable of landing a deciding, knockout blow, it’s the Galaxy. Gabriel Pec’s 50th-minute goal, his second of the game, proved to be just one of those deciding punches. Pec dribbled through, around and by several Minnesota defenders before sliding the ball past a sprawling Dayne St. Clair, restoring a two-goal lead. By the time the dust settled and the referee blew the final whistle, the Galaxy’s offensive punch had delivered six goals (two each by Joseph Paintsil, Dejan Joveljic and Pec) in a 6-2 rout in front of a sellout crowd of 26,192 at Dignity Health Sports Park. “We did it together as a team and not as individual,” Paintsil said. “We have this in our hands. We need to come together and fight for everything. Every player is ready, the team really made the difference.” The Galaxy have scored 15 goals in their first three playoff games. They scored nine in a two-game series in the first round against the Colorado Rapids. Sunday’s scoring trio, along with Riqui Puig helped the Galaxy become the first team in MLS history to have four players with 10-plus goals. “Each of them are playing at a high level right now,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said of his attacking core. “They’re sharp, playing with a lot of intention and purpose and I think they’re really connected with each other. “Playoffs are strange because some of those came late in games when the opposition is extending themselves,” he added. “Especially in the second leg against Colorado, but again, Gabe’s on fire, he’s been a handful, Riqui’s movements … I think they’re really well-connected, focused and playing with real intention.” The Galaxy will host the Seattle Sounders in Saturday’s Western Conference Finals. It will be the Galaxy’s first trip since 2014, also the last season they won the MLS Cup. Pec opened the scoring 27 seconds into the game, the fastest goal in Galaxy history. Minnesota’s Kelvin Yeboah dimmed a bit of the celebration with his rocket into the upper corner of the goal making it 1-1. The Galaxy built a 3-1 lead in the first half and appeared to be on the verge of making it an early rout, but Minnesota got a lifeline late in the first half when Carlos Harvey earned a penalty kick. Yeboah’s first attempt was saved by Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy. Referee Rosendo Mendoza went to the video review and ruled that McCarthy left his line early. Yeboah’s second attempt was converted, cutting the Galaxy’s lead to 3-2 heading into halftime. However, whatever hope Minnesota might have had at that time went away early in the second half. Pec’s solo run and goal made it 4-2 and from there the Galaxy took back control of the game. The Galaxy seized the opportunity after Minnesota United dropped to 10 men late in the game. Paintsil scored his second goal of the game in the 86th minute and Joveljic scored his second in the 89th to put the finishing touches on the 6-2 win. 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