PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- The Los Angeles Galaxy, who lost the leading scorer in Major League Soccer to a one-game suspension, got a goal from an unlikely source Saturday to avoid its longest losing streak since 1997.

Defender Alexi Lalas headed in Simon Elliott's corner kick in the 57th minute for his first goal of the season to give the Galaxy a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire. The win ended a three-game skid for Los Angeles.

``It was really a strange goal,'' Lalas said of his 12th career goal. ``Normally I get a lot more power on it. I didn't get a whole lot of power on it, but we'll take it.''

The Galaxy were without forward Carlos Ruiz, who was penalized for striking Colorado's Wes Hart during Los Angeles' 3-2 loss June 1.

The Galaxy (5-4-2) were forced to play the final 22 minutes with 10 players after midfielder Peter Vagenas received his second yellow card. He will be suspended from Saturday's game.

Chicago (5-4-2) was held without a shot on goal until the 79th minute, when Hartman got his left hand on substitute Mike Nugent's drive, knocking it out of bounds. Six minutes earlier, a shot from Nugent hit the crossbar and went over the net. Gray's 83rd-minute shot from inside the penalty area sailed over the net.

``I thought we were a little too slow with the ball, as far as seeing passes faster and getting it to the next guy,'' Chicago coach Bob Bradley said. ``As a result, the game was played at a slow tempo. We tried to pick it up when we got down a goal, produced a few chances, but by and large, we just played too slow.''

The Galaxy led 14-7 in shots and 6-1 in shots on goal. Chicago's Zach Thornton made five saves.

Hartman was making his second start of the season and his first since April 27. Los Angles goalkeeper Matt Reis allowed eight goals over the last three games.

Both teams were without key players.

The Fire played without seven starters. Midfielder DaMarcus Beasley and forward Josh Wolff are in South Korea with the United States team for the World Cup. Midfielder Chris Armas, forward Hristo Stoichkov and defender Evan Whitfield are on the injured list. Midfielders Sergi Daniv and Dema Kovalenko were also sidelined because of injuries.

The Galaxy were missing three starters. Midfielder-forward Cobi Jones is also in South Korea, defender Tyrone Marshall's wife gave birth Saturday morning and Ruiz.