The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated Colorado twice in the regular season and is considered a strong candidate to advance to the MLS Cup playoffs.
But despite the dire situation to end the regular season, the Rapids have no intention of giving up.
Seventh-seeded Colorado will be looking to improve on their recent play, while second-seeded Galaxy will look to maintain their home advantage. Something will be felt Saturday night in Carson, Calif., when the two clubs meet in the opener of a best-of-three Western Conference first-round series.
The Galaxy (19-8-7, 64 points) were 13-0-3 in games played at their home stadium during the regular season, including winning their last 11 games at Carson. During the winning streak, they outscored their opponents 31 to 14.
On July 4, the Galaxy lost a 2-1 decision to rival Los Angeles FC as their home team at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
“When the fans bring energy to the stadium and the teams compete and create scoring opportunities, it reflects in the energy of the game,” Los Angeles coach Greg Vanney said. “That’s good for all of us.”
Colorado ended the regular season with a 3-2 loss to Austin FC, but only had a record of 5-10-2 on the road.
To make matters worse, the Rapids (15-14-5, 50 points) are on a four-game losing streak and five of their past six games, holding them back in the playoffs.
But Colorado takes solace in the fact that it was competitive against the Galaxy in the regular season. Los Angeles won 3-2 at home against the Rapids on July 17 and then won 3-1 on the road on October 2. Galaxy star Riqui Puig scored three goals in two games.
“They’re a team that we know very well what makes them good,” said Rapids coach Chris Armas, one of three finalists for the MLS Coach of the Year award. “These previous personnel give us real information and insight. We put the Galaxy into two very difficult games.”
Colorado defenseman Keegan Rosenberry said his team isn’t nervous about opening the playoffs against a strong team.
“We are excited about this challenge,” Rosenberry said. “People talk about maybe drawing the best teams in the Galaxy all year long, but in this format you’re going to have to beat good teams along the way, so why not start when you’re just starting out? ”
Los Angeles also lost in the final game to the host Houston Dynamo, 2-1, and advanced to the playoffs after losing. A heartbreaking loss by Dynamo’s goal in stoppage time prevented the Galaxy from taking the lead in the Western Conference.
Gabriel Peck scored the LA goal on a penalty kick and has now scored in five straight MLS games and six of the last seven. He leads the Galaxy with 16 goals.
Vanney wasn’t too thrilled about the club’s lack of momentum in the loss to Houston.
“We should have a healthy level of fear that we could be eliminated from the playoffs very soon,” Vanney said. “But we have to take advantage of that motivation.”
–Field level media
