CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy hosted Colorado Rapids on Saturday night in a critical Western Conference six-pointer. Ultimately, Robin Fraser saw his Colorado Rapids outwork the opposition to get a fantastic win.
Colorado Rapids Outwork LA Galaxy, win 2-0
The first half got off to a slow start. Both teams looked to play through their primary playmakers, Cristian Pavon for LA and Younes Namli for Colorado. Namli had trouble getting into the final third.
Pavon was able to get into good areas, but was regularly doubled teamed. He was able to find Efrain Álvarez on several occasions for shooting opportunities. Their best chance came in the 25th minute when Álvarez got the ball at the top of the box and shot wide of the post.
Colorado had several looks from outside the box but nothing dangerous. That changed in the 40th minute. Colorado got numbers in the box when Sam Vines sent a cross towards goal. The Galaxy center backs got their markings mixed up and Cole Bassett scored on a volley, unmarked.
Los Angeles were better to start the second half. Ethan Zubak was denied in the 52nd minute on a shot right in front of goal that took a deflection.
Andre Shinyashiki and Álvarez had chances later in the half that they couldn’t convert. Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham had a miraculous save on Shinyashiki. Álvarez got into the box with space to shoot but chose to pass. He found no one and William Yarbrough easily collected the ball.
Colorado sealed the game in the 78th minute. With Julian Araujo sent off for a second yellow three minutes earlier, Shinyashiki played Braian Galvan through to the touchline. The Argentine crossed to the front of goal and Lewis was there to score. The goal was initially ruled offside but VAR overturned it.
The match ended 2-0 with Colorado bossing the game and getting several other chances.
.@Jon_lewis710 scores his fourth of the season!
Time to close out this W. pic.twitter.com/F6zB5AyeZU
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) September 20, 2020
Three Takeaways:
One dimensional: The Galaxy are too predictable right now. This is one of the best game plans the Rapids have executed this season. They made the Galaxy defense uncomfortable with no outlets. They double teamed Pavon. LA didn’t have another offensive threat outside of Álvarez and couldn’t adjust.
The kids are better than alright: Bassett and Lewis had great games that were capped off with goals. Lalas Abubakar did a number on Pavon and the Galaxy attack. They had a good plan and delivered a hard working performance t win.
Fitness and injuries: Chicharito and Jonathan dos Santos were again substitutes for the Galaxy. The Gs need their DPs 90 minutes fit as soon as possible. Danny Wilson and Namli were subbed off with injury concerns in the second half. These could be huge losses for Colorado if they’re out for an extended period of time.
