MLS LA Galaxy

Three Points: Slow start and poor finishing dooms the LA Galaxy as they fall to the Colorado Rapids

May 4, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano offers his Three Points to Galaxy's 1-0 defeat to the Colorado Rapids. Vicente Sanchez scored the lone goal of the evening which snapped LA's four game unbeaten run.

SLOW START PUTS THE GALAXY DOWN A GOAL...

Sluggish and lackadaisical- those were the words used by the LA Galaxy to describe their start and their finish to their 1-0 defeat to the Colorado Rapids.

After a fast start in the opening five minutes, the Galaxy began to drop back and allow the Rapids to push forward and create attempts as they looked to pull ahead. This inability to push the issue was punished in the 20th minute as a mishit by Leonardo on a clearance led to a Rapids corner that led to a goal by Vicente Sanchez who chipped goalkeeper Jaime Penedo for the game's only goal.

As the half wore on, the Galaxy continued to struggle as Colorado sought to pressure the visitors around the field which led to turnovers as LA was unable to manage dangerous possession in the final third.

...AND POOR FINISH PUTS THEM DOWN FOR GOOD

The Galaxy came alive in the second stanza after a moribund end to the first half, but poor finishing doomed LA.

With plenty of attacking movement in the opening minutes of the first half, the Galaxy earned a penalty kick in the 61st minute when Rob Friend found himself on the wrong end of a boot to the face by Rapids center back Drew Moor. However Robbie Keane's effort was blasted just wide as the Irishman missed his second penalty of the year, the first coming in LA's season opener against Real Salt Lake.

Keane wasn't the only player who struggled in the loss as Landon Donovan had several attempts to tie the match- and score his record breaking 135th MLS Regular Season goal- but on numerous occasions fired his shots away from the goal frame. His final effort came in the closing moments of stoppage time as he launched a shot from beyond the penalty area just over the bar to seal the defeat.

OMAR GONZALEZ GOES DOWN TO INJURY AS KOFI OPARE STEPS UP IN

Injuries have ravaged the LA Galaxy back four and now you can add Omar Gonzalez to the list of the walking wounded.

The Galaxy and U.S. international suffered a left knee injury during the first half and was pulled from the match by head coach Bruce Arena due to precautionary measures. With Gonzalez out, Arena threw on Kofi Opare who stepped in and helped shut down Edson Buddle during the second half.

Gonzalez's injury raises questions as to who will fill in at center back once the Galaxy return to action next week against the Portland Timbers. If Gonzalez can slide back in then he is the obvious choice, but LA may need to rely on the likes of Opare or possibly Tommy Meyer to fill in along the back four.

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