COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – It was chaos in Commerce City on Wednesday night. After a frantic but scoreless first half between LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids, a Nicolas Mezquida penalty turned the game on its side.
Nicolas Mezquida Penalty Down LA Galaxy Playoff Hopes
The first half had plenty of chances for both sides, with several players getting involved. The pitch was very slick as it started raining just a few minutes into the match. Both teams played quickly off finding space and their mark slipping or losing their footing.
Andre Shinyashiki tried to open the scoring 16 minutes in. He recieved a pass from Kellyn Acosta, ran to the top of the box, and shot. David Bingham made the save, directing the rebound to a teammate.
Ibrahimovic’s first good look came in the 27th minute. He beat the offside trap on a ball on the ground and ran on goal with on Clint Irwin to beat. Irwin came off his line and Lalas Abubakar made a great run from right back. The two got in front of Ibrahimovic right as he shot; it was blocked and cleared.
Irwin was forced into back-to-back saves moments later when Favio Alvarez and Cristian Pavon both had looks. The half ended with Tommy Smith missing on a header chance off a corner and Ibrahimovic sending a set piece chance wide.
Colorado started to control the game more in the second half. Shinyashiki skied a ball just over the bar from inside the box in the 59th minute. Minutes later, Cole Bassett was denied on a curling shot the far post off another quick counter attack that started at midfield.
They had a golden chance in the 71st when Acosta opened things up with a pass. It led to a square pass across goal. Sam Nicholson and Bassett were alone at the back post but Bingham got a touch to it to keep it away from both and out for corner. The two players fell to the ground in shock and disgust on the play.
The game broke wide open in the 79th minute. Bassett got open on a set piece and scored with his head with Jack Price on the assist. Giancarlo Gonzalez scored two minutes later getting higher than everyone on a Galaxy corner.
Minutes later, Shinyashiki went down in the box and drew a foul. On the Nicolas Mezquida penalty, he shot to his left. Bingham guessed right but the ball snuck under him and in.
Three Takeaways:
Finishing and set pieces: The first half was scoreless as both sides either shot wide of goal or right at the keeper. That changed on set pieces in the second half.
Fraser is perfect: In three games against possible playoff teams, Robin Fraser’s Rapids are 3-0.
Playoff hopes dented: The Galaxy’s playoff hopes took a huge hit tonight. They had 9 days to prepare for this game and had some chances, but could not get a result.
