Galaxy Lose Late 1-0 To Rapids

By Connor Aylward
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Updated: March 12, 2016

Credit to Denver Post, Galaxy Lose to Rapids

The 1-0 Los Angeles Galaxy traveled to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver, Colorado Saturday night to take on the 0-1 Colorado Rapids. The Galaxy would be without two starters in this one as forward Giovani Dos Santos and Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy would remain in Los Angeles nursing injuries.

#LAGalaxy XI: Rowe; DeLaGarza, Steres, Van Damme, Rogers; Lletget, De Jong, Gerrard, Zardes; Magee, Keane #COLvLA pic.twitter.com/SbRT05L7F2

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 12, 2016

Ashley Cole would remain on the bench in this one as he apparently picked up a knock before the competition.

The first half saw the Galaxy have a couple of close calls as two shots for Los Angeles clanked off the woodwork. Robbie Keane and Jelle Van Damme were the unlucky shooters as the two just couldn’t get the ball to cross the threshold for goals. Momentum though was on the Galaxy’s side as the first half came to a close.

The second half saw a complete change of pace. The Rapids looked in control as they were driving towards the Galaxy goal seemingly all half. Brian Rowe however was saving his club in this one as the Galaxy keeper made clutch saves that looked like it would be enough to at least have his club hold on for the tie. It wouldn’t, but Rowe was not to blame. A great shot from Colorado sub Marco Pappa whizzed by the keeper in the 94th minute, just one minute before the game was set to end giving the Rapids a 1-0 victory.

Regardless of the last goal, Rowe was the man of the match for Los Angeles on the night. Filling in for the injured Kennedy, Rowe was standing on his head in-goal. He tallied 7 saves and was the main reason Colorado didn’t win this one by more honestly, despite some very good chances.

The offense for the Galaxy struggled all night however as even though the club got some great looks from set pieces they would never be able to take advantage. Steven Gerrard, who was able to bend the ball in on those set pieces, looked vastly improved which was unexpected from the aging veteran playing in an atmosphere like Colorado.

Forward Gyasi Zardes on the other hand struggled yet again playing on the right of the midfield. Questions remain as to whether or not Galaxy manager Bruce Arena is using the 24 year-old correctly or if he should be moved up top along with Robbie Keane, a position where he showed great promise just two seasons ago.

Emmanuel Boateng and Baggio Husidic would sub in for the Galaxy in this one. Boateng showed his tremendous speed and gave a huge spark for the club immediately but just couldn’t help the team punch one in.

A tough loss for Los Angeles against a Colorado team that most Galaxy fans would expect their club to beat. Luckily it is a long MLS season and Arena’s club is notorious for being slow starters that catch fire in the second half of the season. Hopefully Los Angeles fans will not have to wait quite that long before the team gets some offense going this year.

Next Saturday the Galaxy will take on their bitter rival the San Jose Earthquakes in the Cali Classico. This game will take place at 7:30 PM PST and can be viewed on Time Warner Cable Sports Network or MLS Live.