CARSON, CA (August 13, 2016) – In a clash of top Western Conference Teams, the LA Galaxy drew the Colorado Rapids 1-1 at home on Saturday night. Midfielder Shkelzen Gashi and defender Daniel Steres scored the goals.
LA Galaxy Draw Colorado Rapids In Tough Match
Both managers made some interesting lineup moves. Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena was able to start mostly a Starting XI having played a reserve squad on Wednesday. Jelle Van Damme was in at center back. Steven Gerrard moved next to Nigel de Jong in a 4-2-3-1 with Jeff Larentowicz suspended. Gyasi Zardes returned to the starting lineup with Giovan dos Santos in the No. 10 role.
Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni chose to start Dillon Powers over Michael Azira after a very good game last weekend. Gashi started again in the No. 10 role with Dominique Badji and Marlon Hairston on his wings.
Colorado came out very defensive. Kevin Doyle was on an island in the attack with the wide players not pushing forward to facilitate the counter attack. De Jong and Steven Gerrard plugged up the middle for the most part, preventing Gashi and Powers from getting forward. It almost seemed the Rapids were playing for a draw.
The Galaxy dominated possession through much of the first half, generating 17 total shots in the game. Zardes got an excellent chance in the 11th minute when he got behind the back line, but goalkeeper Tim Howard made a hand save from point blank range.
Van Damme got his head on a set piece cross in the 26th minute, but hit rang off the post and was deflected out for a goal kick.
The Rapids best chance came in the 28th minute. Doyle got a counter attack going and sent a cross across goal towards Hairston. Defender Ashley Cole couldn’t clear it, but Hairston sent the tap in wide.
The half ended 0-0.
Mastroeni made a sub to start the second half, putting new addition Sebastian Le Toux in for Badji. With this, the Rapids came out of their shell. They started holding onto the ball and getting numbers into the attack.
A goal came in the 51st minute seemingly out of nowhere. The Rapids were moving the ball around the Galaxy box but weren’t creating anything dangerous. Hairston set up Gashi for a shot from just outside the 18 and Gashi laced it for the top corner.
Colorado gradually moved back into their defensive shape. Los Angeles pushed forward, throwing numbers into the box, seeking a goal. Their equalizer came in the 61st minute. Center back Daniel Steres got a head on a corner from Gerrard.
The Galaxy had a scary moment in the 83rd minute. Doyle and De Jong collided with goalkeeper Brian Rowe in the box. A foul was called but Rowe appeared to be hurt. He was down on the field for several minutes while getting treatment. A stretcher was brought out, but Rowe left the field under his own power with all four of his limbs moving. He did appear to have cut on his head.
Back up Dan Kennedy subs in for Rowe.
While the Galaxy created several late chances, the game ended 1-1. This is the third disappointing home game for the Galaxy this week. Once again, the team had a good first half but could not finish. The conceded in the second half and had to chase the game for a draw.
The Rapids will take this result on the road, having not conceded any ground to the Galaxy. The Galaxy travel to New York City next Saturday. The Rapids will be home to Orlando next Saturday.
