Los Angeles FC moved into MLS play-off position with a 3-0 defeat of Seattle Sounders on Tuesday.

The victory put LAFC on 44 points and moved them ahead of Vancouver Whitecaps on goal differential for the seventh and final Western Conference play-off spot. 

However, Vancouver have a game in hand and ninth-place Real Salt Lake (42 points) have played two fewer games than Los Angeles, so plenty of work remains for head coach Bob Bradley's side. 

Still, they will be pleased with the all-around effort Tuesday as Jamal Blackman turned in a clean sheet and three different players found the net. 

Brian Rodriguez opened the scoring in the 21st minute, slipping a shot past Stefan Frei, while Latif Blessing added a critical goal in first-half stoppage time and Cristian Arango sealed the win from long distance in the 51st minute. 

Seattle remain atop the Western Conference on 58 points but continue to struggle as the play-offs approach, with three losses and a draw from their last four games. 

Cristian Arango scored twice in an historic performance as Los Angeles FC claimed a 3-2 win over Real Salt Lake in a thrilling MLS contest on Sunday.

Arango's brace included the fastest goal in club history for LAFC – who have won four consecutive games against RSL – after opening the scoring just 20 seconds into the match at Banc of California Stadium.

It eclipsed Eduard Atuesta's record – he scored after 85 seconds on April 24 earlier this season.

Real Salt Lake equalised through Damir Kreilach's stunner approaching the half-hour mark, when the Croatian curled a strike into the net from distance.

Visiting RSL were only on level terms for two minutes after Arango restored LAFC's lead with a header, much to the delight of the crowd.

Anderson Julio levelled proceedings three minutes into the second half, finishing past Tomas Romero.

But LAFC had the final say as Toni Datkovic's own goal gifted the home side another lead in the 59th minute, an advantage they did not relinquish.

LAFC are eighth in the Western Conference – adrift of seventh-placed RSL and the play-off spots on goal difference through 23 matches.