Fabian Castillo struck an 88th-minute winner as Dallas took a big step towards the MLS playoffs by beating already-qualified Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 in Texas this morning.

Castillo pounced with two minutes remaining to help Dallas all but seal their top-five finish by moving six points clear of Portland Timbers - on inferior goal difference - with two games remaining.

Galaxy menaced throughout the opening exchanges but it took some 22 minutes for them to edge ahead, when Stefan Ishizaki beat Chris Seitz with a delightful angled chip.

Dallas threatened a swift riposte but goalkeeper Jaime Penedo produced a number of key saves to deny the hosts prior to the half-time whistle.

Penedo could do little about the equaliser, however, as David Texeira slotted past the keeper on 52 minutes after being played through by Dynamo Kiev loanee Andres Escobar.

The clash was heading for a stalemate until Castillo buried a rebound beyond Penedo in the closing stages of normal time to effectively secure a playoff place for Dallas.

There was further late drama when Moises Hernandez was issued a straight red card for the hosts, but there was too little time remaining for Los Angeles to capitalise on their numerical advantage.