The Galaxy put together probably one of their best road games all season against the Rapids at a time where results as well as performances were scarce and badly needed at the same time. Coming off a 2 game stretch that saw the Galaxy drop 4 points at home and still without the two Donovans, Galaxy needed to get points in order to keep surging FC Dallas and company off their back in race for the Western Conference crown.
Add to this backdrop the fact that David Beckham was a late, late scratch that didn’t even travel with the team (a fact seemingly lost upon everyone even the Rapids crew covering the game…) and no one would fault most Galaxy fans if they were expecting the worst with Beckham’s set pieces off the table and no clear threats.
Against the background noise of missing personnel, the Galaxy did seem up to the task with the Rapids facing their own roster issues. With Jaime Smith out as a late scratch and the continued absences of Marvell Wynne and Macoumba Kandji from injury, The Rapids were probably more depleted than the Galaxy. Despite that, the Rapids had the majority of possession in the first half but not a lot of chances taken. The Galaxy braved the first waves of Colorado’s attack and got on the board first with a Chris Birchall cross that was deflected in by Drew Moor for an own goal in the 25th minute. The early goal unsettled an already make-shift Colorado team, who seemed to have control until the gaffe.
The Rapids recomposed themselves and started to dictate play once again. Their effort was almost rewarded when a Drew Moor header that seemed to be destined for the back of the net went over the bar 10 minutes later. However, the Galaxy weren’t done scoring and Juninho made the Rapids defense pay dearly for not closing him down with a 25 yard bomb into the far side of the net that left keeper Matt Pickens helpless 4 minutes from half time.
Coach Gary Smith was forced to inject some offense into Rapids and brought on the ever dangerous Omar Cummings, who was just fresh from recovering from an ankle injury and hadn’t played since May. The Galaxy seemed on their heels with 3 forwards (Casey, Folan, and Cummings) attacking the back four and finally gave up the first goal of the game to Conor Casey. Conor, who always seems to find a way to score on the Galaxy, tucked in an Omar Cummings shot that hit the near post of Saunders. Luckily another furious comeback was not in the cards for the Galaxy faithful as Folan was sent off for an ill-advised tackle on Juninho. The midfielder was down for several minutes, but was able to continue with no noticeable injuries. With Folan off, it was only a matter of time before the Galaxy added another. Substitute Chad Barrett, who came on for Miguel Lopez, scored the insurance goal after a well-played low cross by captain Todd Dunivant in the 81st minute to finish off the Rapids and gain an invaluable 3 points away from HDC.
Short Corners
– AJ De La Garza was subbed out in the 83th minute for Gregg Berhalter, stopping a streaking going back to the April 23rd Portland game that no one from the back 4 was subbed out.
– At least one Donovan will be coming back for the Galaxy next week as Donovan Ricketts and Jamaica were eliminated by United States on Sunday. The other Donovan (Landon) attended his sister’s wedding and came in as a sub in the US’s 2-0 victory of Jamaica.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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