(Sports Network) - Not to be outdone by D.C. United's Luciano Emilio, who scored a hat trick Saturday night on the East Coast, the Los Angeles Galaxy's Edson Buddle scored a hat trick on the West Coast to lead his team over the San Jose Earthquakes, 3-0, at McAfee Stadium in Major League Soccer action. With the win, the Galaxy take over sole possession of the Western table lead by three points over the Houston Dynamo, who have played an extra game. San Jose, on the other hand, slips deeper into the Western basement with the loss.

The first goal was scored just six minutes in when David Beckham chipped a ball to the top of the San Jose penalty area to Josh Tudela, who headed back to Buddle, who volley the chance into the back of the net past a diving Joe Cannon.

The Galaxy doubled their lead three minutes after the hour mark when Ely Allen played a ball to Ante Jazic on the left side. The Canadian international then crossed a perfect ball into the San Jose area to Buddle, whose diving header went in past Cannon, far post.

Buddle completed the hat trick - his second of the season - when he headed another cross from the left side, this time from Mike Randolph, past Cannon to close out the scoring.

The Galaxy (6-4-2) will look to extend their conference lead when they host the Columbus crew next Saturday while San Jose (3-7-1) plays at Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.



Copyright 2008 The Sports Network
All rights reserved