MLS Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy: Keys to the Match: October 10, 2020

Published on October 8, 2020 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


There may not be a more difficult team to figure out in MLS in 2020 than the LA Galaxy. Zlatan Ibrahimovic exited to return to Europe in Serie A and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez was brought in to fill the vacant megastar spot. LA's Head Coach, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, is in his second year and after a playoff appearance in his debut season, the Galaxy currently languish in last place in the Western Conference with just 15 points in 15 games.

The Galaxy's 2020 campaign can conveniently be chopped up into three, five-game sets. In their first five matches, they picked up 2 points out of 15. But the second stanza is when they began to play like everybody imagined they would including four straight wins and a draw. The results had the MLS world believing LA had figured it out and would be a force the rest of the season. The final five matches have perhaps been the most bleak. It began with a 2-0 home loss to the Rapids, followed by four more losses and 15 goals conceded in recent weeks.

Nobody doubts the Galaxy have a top-of-the-line manager in GBS, and nobody second guesses the talent on the roster. Even beyond the star names like Chicharito and Argentine playmaker Cristian Pavon, the Galaxy have talent everywhere. At any point in any match, these players may find cohesion and put together a full 90-minute performance or one of their superstars will take over by himself and win it with individual brilliance. Here are my keys to the game for the Rapids to secure all three points.

1. Don't let LA believe.

Because the Galaxy have a manager who knows what he's doing and a talented roster that could put it all together at any moment, the Rapids need to jump all over their opponent from the opening whistle. Fires need oxygen to breathe and the Galaxy are one good result from finding the confidence to blaze through the league. Suffocate them, bother them, score first and score often. If the Galaxy come out playing well, they'll start to believe and think they have a real chance against a Rapids side who may take a good chunk of the match to find a rhythm after recent time off.

2. Cut off the crosses.

When Zlatan Ibrahimovic was in town, nobody crossed more balls into the box than the Galaxy. This was an effective game plan with a 6'6 supersized Swede to aim at, but it's not quite the same without him in the middle. However, the Galaxy still do it and a world class forward like Chicharito is capable of turning a half-chance into a goal. To prevent this, the Rapids will have to clamp down when players like Pavon are on the ball in the final third; he'll know how to find his forward. But if a ball does get in the air, the Rapids will need to be aggressive in clearing and cleaning up any scraps.

3. Elevate.

The first time the Rapids played the LA Galaxy this year, it was on the road at sea level and was a thorough and professional performance that led to a win for the Rapids. Now Colorado has the benefit of elevation to slowly deplete their opponent's batteries. You know the Galaxy will come into this match looking to right the ship of their 2020 campaign, desperate for a positive result. If the Rapids can use that desperation to their advantage and make the Galaxy chase the game it will benefit the home side. The Rapids are capable of dominating possession, switching the points of attack and piling up goals in short order. The pitch at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park is long and wide; if Robin Fraser's side can make the Galaxy defend every blade of grass and as the exhaustion sets in, opportunities should present themselves.

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