Steven Gerrard gets 1st MLS goal as Galaxy top FC Dallas

CARSON, California (AP) - Former Liverpool star Steven Gerrard scored his first goal since joining Major League Soccer to help the LA Galaxy beat FC Dallas 3-2 on Sunday and climb to the top of the overall league standings.

Giovani Dos Santos and Robbie Keane scored in the first half before Gerrard connected in the 57th minute as the Galaxy ended their perplexing three-game scoreless stretch with a barrage of goals from their talent-laden roster. All three of the Galaxy's designated players scored in the same match for the first time.

The Galaxy (14-9-8) jumped to the top of the league standings with 50 points - two points clear of the Vancouver Whitecaps and New York Red Bulls and three points ahead of FC Dallas. Those clubs, however, all have games in hand on the defending MLS Cup champions.

Gerrard spent 17 years at Liverpool, scoring 120 goals in 504 appearances and leading the club to two FA Cup titles and one Champions League trophy. The 35-year-old former England captain had played eight games for Los Angeles without scoring a goal since his MLS debut in July.

"I didn't have a problem with my confidence," Gerrard said. "I think the goal is important for the team. We're at the business end of the season, and it's all about three points. It's not about individuals and tallies and who gets what."

Elsewhere, Matias Perez Garcia scored in the 87th minute to lift San Jose past Real Salt Lake 1-0 and close within a point of Portland for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Dominic Dwyer scored in the 79th minute to give Sporting Kansas City a 1-1 draw with Seattle. Obafemi Martins scored for the Sounders.