PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- Carlos Ruiz scored four minutes into stoppage time to give the Los Angeles Galaxy a 1-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.

The victory gave the Galaxy (15-9-3) a three-point lead over the Earthquakes (14-10-3) in the race for the Western Conference title, top seeding and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Los Angeles and San Jose will meet again next Saturday in San Jose in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Ruiz took a pass from Cobi Jones about 25 yards from the goal. Defenders Jeff Agoos and Wade Barrett both put their arms up, signaling to the referee's assistant that Ruiz was offsides, but no call was made and Ruiz drove to the goal.

San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon charged off his line to challenge Ruiz, who rolled a shot from about 14 yards out past Cannon, inside the left goal post for his 23rd goal of the season, moving one ahead of New England's Taylor Twellman for the league game and increasing his franchise-record total.

Los Angeles goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made three saves for his fourth shutout of the season. Cannon also made three saves.

The Galaxy played without starting defenders Ezra Hendrickson and Alexi Lalas, both serving one-game suspensions.