35,188, including Miami Heat owner Micky Arison and president P

CARSON, Calif. -- Although the Los Angeles Galaxy opened their MLS title defence with the result Landon Donovan wanted, hes hoping they dont regret their missed chances to make it even better. Sean Franklin scored on a dramatic 27-yard strike just after halftime, and the Galaxy began their run at a third straight league championship with a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Sunday night in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals. Franklins first goal in more than five months provided a small advantage for the third-seeded Galaxy when the clubs head to Utah on Thursday for the second leg. The Galaxy were good, dominating possession and effectively shuttering Reals attack, but they could have been even better. Donovan and Robbie Keane had numerous chances up front throughout the match, but repeatedly failed to provide additional cushion for the Galaxy. "We put a lot of pressure on them throughout the night, so theres going to be some cracks," Donovan said. "Robbie and I need to do a better job with our counterattacks. Usually were better than that. I have a feeling were going to have a lot more chances Thursday as the game goes on as they open up and expose themselves, and were fine with that." Jaime Penedo posted his fifth shutout in 10 MLS matches for the Galaxy, who are in search of their league-record fifth MLS Cup title. Los Angeles is trying to become the first MLS team to win three consecutive titles despite losing two key components of its previous championship teams: star midfielder David Beckham and goal-scorer Mike Magee. The Galaxy are in prime position to make that run, but a couple of extra goals would have helped from an otherwise one-sided game. Keane barely missed a goal on a breakaway in the 85th minute, pushing a low shot just wide of the far post. The Irish international star scored 16 MLS goals for the second straight regular season. "We certainly left a few chances out there, but we cant score every time," Keane said. "I wasnt connecting with the ball properly. You have nights like this. Its not something Im going to lose any sleep over." Salt Lake, which had a four-game unbeaten streak and a lengthy break before the playoffs, might have a sleepless night after an ineffective performance at StubHub Center. Los Angeles largely controlled the flow against second-seeded Salt Lake in a matchup of franchises with three of the last four MLS titles between them. "On a different night, Keane and Donovan are going to kill you on those," Real coach Jason Kreis said. "We werent good enough. We gave the ball away cheaply so many times in so many dangerous spots. ... Players need to be better. Were just missing some simple passes. Our better players need to be better, and they will." Keane and Donovan both missed on impressive runs in the opening minutes, and Reals Chris Schuler slid in from behind to knock the ball off Donovans foot at the goalmouth in the 42nd minute. But Franklin thrilled the Galaxys lively sellout crowd in the 47th minute when he collected an errant pass from Keane well outside the penalty area and put a rocket of a shot inside Nick Rimandos left post. Franklin, a stalwart defender, hadnt scored since May 26. "The ball just came out on top of the box, and I had time and space to hit it," Franklin said. "Once I opened my eyes up, the ball was in the back of the net." Real had its best chance in the 80th minute, but substitute forward Devon Sandoval fell down on contact with a Los Angeles defender while closing in on Luis Gils pass in front of the Galaxy goal. Los Angeles entered the playoffs unbeaten in four straight games after allowing just one goal in its entire October schedule. The Galaxy have never lost in the two-leg conference semifinals since MLS adopted the playoff format in 2003, advancing eight times. These clubs met in the MLS Cup final in 2009, with Real Salt Lake winning its only league title on penalty kicks. China Jerseys Stitched . The hard-serving 22-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., became the first Canadian to be ranked in the Top 10 on the ATP World Tour thanks to his runner-up performance at Rogers Cup in Montreal. Cheap Jerseys From China . -- John Fox will coach the Denver Broncos from the sideline and not the booth upon his return Sunday five weeks after heart surgery. https://www.chinajerseyscheap.us/ . The former central defender calmly nodded it down and quietly went about celebrating a win with his staff. For a man who has had a lot on his shoulders this season, it was an appropriate moment. Fake China Jerseys . You can catch all of the action LIVE on TSN2 at 6pm et/3pm pt. The Heat reached that mark Saturday night when they ruined the Philadelphia 76ers home opener. China Jerseys Cheap . -- Creighton apparently has Villanovas number. MIAMI -- Jose Fernandez allowed his first two walks of the season, and they came back to back. When his foot slipped on a delivery, the pitch bounced several feet in front of the plate. One frustrating inning ended with the Miami Marlins precocious ace shaking his head and screaming angrily into his glove. Fernandez was at less than his best Saturday, but still good enough to beat the San Diego Padres. He struck out eight in 6 2-3 innings while lowering his ERA to 0.71, and Miami beat the punchless San Diego Padres 5-0. The Marlins improved to 5-1, their best start since 2009. Last year their fifth victory came in their 21st game, and they finished with 100 losses. "Another win. Its incredible," Fernandez said. "To be 5-1 is pretty amazing." Fernandez (2-0) improved his career record at home to 11-0 despite being miffed about a high pitch count early in the game. "Hes such a great competitor," manager Mike Redmond said. "He wasnt as sharp as Ive seen. But his stuff is so good, he still has the ability to make his pitches when he needs to." Fernandez, who threw 108 pitches, left the game annoyed after throwing a wild pitch on a strikeout that allowed Alexi Amarista to reach base with two outs in the seventh. But he allowed only three hits and two walks. "I threw a lot of pitches -- not what I wanted to do," Fernandez said. "But we won. Thats what I care about." Three relievers followed to complete a five-hitter. Giancarlo Stanton had two RBIs to increase his season total to 11, one more than teammate Casey McGehee, who began the day leading the NL. Four of the Marlins runs scored with two outs. "Theres a lot of good stuff going on right now," Redmond said. Andrew Cashner (0-1) allowed only two runs in six innings, but the offensively challenged Padres reached a new low -- for the first time, they were shut out. Theyve scored eight runs this season, worst in the majors, and haave lost four in a row since a win on opening day.dddddddddddd The Padres went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and are batting .108 (4 for 37) in those situations. "Collectively as a group, were not swinging the bats well," manager Bud Black said. "We are in a team-wide situation that were not swinging. We dont have one guy thats swinging the bat well. Inversely, you look at the Marlins they have guys who are swinging well. And thats what happens. Its cyclical during the course of a season." San Diegos best threat against Fernandez came when he walked two to load the bases with the score 0-0 in the third, but he escaped when Seth Smith hit into an inning-ending double play. The game drew a crowd of 35,188, including Miami Heat owner Micky Arison and president Pat Riley, who chatted briefly with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. Stantons run-scoring single in the third gave the Marlins a 1-0 lead, which looked hefty with Fernandez on the mound. "We knew once we got that one run, we had a good chance," catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. Notes: Marlins 2B Rafael Furcal (hamstring) is scheduled to report Monday to extended spring training in Jupiter, Fla., with rehabilitation assignments to follow. He likely wont be activated until April 20 at the earliest. ... Padres RHP Casey Kelly was scheduled to pitch in a simulated game Saturday, but the workout was postponed at least two days because he was feeling discomfort in his surgically repaired elbow, Black said. The setback isnt believed to be significant. ... Padres RHP Tyson Ross will get an extra day of rest before his next start Tuesday at Cleveland. Black said he made the move in part so the two left-handers in the rotation wouldnt pitch back to back. ... Stanton has two homers in eight at-bats against RHP Ian Kennedy (0-1, 5.40), who is scheduled to start Sunday for the Padres. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 3.00) will start for Miami. ' ' '