After a tie against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena, the LA Galaxy are back at home to face the Colorado Rapids, one of the founding teams in the MLS. These two have played each other many times and have had many big battles through the years. Let’s take a look back at the results from last season versus the Rapids.
The LA Galaxy went 2-1-0 during the 2014 MLS season against the Colorado Rapids.
The first match of 2014 was on May 3rd, and the LA Galaxy were having a slow start to the season. The Galaxy went into Dicks Sporting Goods Park with the right mentality and had some good chances, but in the 20th minute Vicente Sánchez scored a goal — one that might of been intended as a cross — but flew right over Jaime Penedo’s head. The Galaxy had their chance when Rob Friend was kicked and brought down in the box, which lead to a penalty for Robbie Keane. Robbie Keane missed the penalty wide to the right of the post and the Galaxy ended up losing the game, 1-0.
The second matchup between the two brought fireworks throughout the match and proved true the slogan “never stop until the final whistle”. The Colorado Rapids took an early 2-0 lead by the 20th minute, with goals by Marlon Hairston in the 14th minute and current LA Galaxy player Edson Buddle in the 18th. Then Robbie Keane scored one of his his own in the 20th minute and the Galaxy were back in it, until a free kick by Marc Burch in the 30th minute which gave the Rapids a 3-1 lead going into the first half. At halftime, after a now-famous speech went down by coach Bruce Arena, as he chewed his team out and in the second half they responded. With passion and excellent play, the Galaxy came right back with three goals in the second half by Omar Gonzalez, Alan Gordon, and Landon Donovan, to take a big three points back home, with the 4-3 win over the Rapids.
The third and final match against the Colorado Rapids in the 2014 MLS Season at the StubHub Center was a big one, as it was a very sad mood around the LA Galaxy family with the death of Luca DeLaGarza, the son of LA Galaxy defender AJ DeLaGarza. All the players wore supportive armbands in the name of Luca and this match and the rest of the season was definitely played for Luca.
The Galaxy started hot as they were awarded a penalty 35 seconds in as well as a red card issued to the Rapids’ goalkeeper, Joe Nasco. Landon Donovan converted the penalty and that was just the start of the bombardment by the Galaxy. The first half ended at 3-0 with goals by Donovan, Husidic, and Zardes, who each also scored a goal in the second half to end the game at 6-0! Donovan, Husidic, and Zardes each had 2 goals as the Galaxy were flying high and at the top of their game.
The record between the LA Galaxy and the Colorado Rapids has been very one-sided for the LA Galaxy, especially at home where the Galaxy have a record against the Rapids of 23-7-2. In total, the Galaxy’s record against the Rapids is 34-24-7 and have scored 104 goals as opposed to the Rapids 75.
Go check out Chandrima’s game preview as well! http://cornerofthegalaxy.com/2015/04/30/keep-an-eye-on-la-v-col/