MLS LA Galaxy

Red Card Dooms Bad Luck Rapids

Published on March 24, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


CARSON, Calif. -LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano gives his Three Points to the LA Galaxy's 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.

RED CARD DOOMS BAD LUCK RAPIDS

The Colorado Rapids managed to get into halftime with the score tied 0-0 despite having to make two changes in the opening 45 minutes because of injuries and the Galaxy taking 14 shots compared to just one for the visitors. But a red card in the 48th minute doomed the Rapids.

Referee Armando Villarreal issued a red card to the Rapids' Drew Moor after he struck Marcelo Sarvas in the face off the ball. The foul happened inside the box leading to a penalty kick which Mike Magee slotted home for his fourth goal of the season. Following the goal, Colorado was forced to burn their third substitution just 52 minutes into the game.

Up a man and facing a Rapids side that was short on MLS experience, the Galaxy controlled the pace of the game in the second half as they pushed ahead for a second goal, which they were unable to collect. But perhaps more profound was that they were able to close off the match, something they were unable to due in last week's draw against Chivas USA.

MCBEAN AND VILLARREAL SHOW CHEMISTRY AND FLASHES OF DANGER BUT NO GOALS

Jose Villarreal and Jack McBean resumed their Academy and Reserve League partnership as they filled in for the absent Robbie Keane, but while they were dangerous; neither could find the back of the net.

Throughout the match, the pair displayed a seamless connection as they repeatedly found one another in open spaces to generate scoring opportunities. However, despite the teenage duo wreaking havoc on a poor Colorado defense, they were ultimately unable to get past Colorado's Clint Irwin and were kept off the scoresheet. The stats at the end of the night were the most telling as Villarreal rattled off three shots on goal in 67 minutes of action while McBean added four shots on goal during a full 90 minute shift.

Although neither was able to find the back of the net, expect the pair to remain a major part of Bruce Arena's rotation in the near future.

IRWIN CAN'T SAVE COLORADO

It was a devastating night for the Colorado Rapids with a red card, two injuries and a loss, but Oscar Pareja will leave The Home Depot Center impressed by the play of his young goalkeeper Clint Irwin.

The 'keeper received little to no help from his patchwork defense that conceded chance after chance to the Galaxy during the run of play, but he managed to able to keep LA out of the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes. However, he was finally beaten in the 52nd minute when Mike Magee slotted a penalty kick past him after Drew Moor was sent off for striking Marcelo Sarvas inside the penalty area. At the end of the night, Irwin notched eight saves to solidify his presence as Colorado's number one 'keeper. With starter Matt Pickens out for several months with a broken leg, expect Irwin to see heavy minutes as Colorado look to recover from their early season slide.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 24, 2013


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