Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids: Live Blog

Aug 20, 2014; Commerce City, CO, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant (2) kicks the ball in the second half against the Colorado Rapids at Dick

Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy are hoping for a more consistent performance against Pablo Mastroeni’s Colorado Rapids. In their last meeting, the Galaxy had to come back from a 3-1 halftime deficit to prevail, 4-3. This time, tonight at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., they will look to play a complete game against a side on the brink of no return.

More from Colorado Rapids

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by NBCSN. The Live Blog will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET. Keep it right here on the MLS Multiplex for continuing coverage of the 2014 Major League Soccer season.

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T-120: Welcome to the Live Blog of tonight’s match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Colorado Rapids. I am Jo-Ryan Salazar, co-editor of the MLS Multiplex alongside Will Perry. This is an important match, as a victory tonight will keep them at pace with the Seattle Sounders, who won earlier this week at this same venue, the StubHub Center, against Chivas USA.

The current Western Conference standings so far…

Western Conference

#ClubPTSGPPPGWLTGFGAGDHGHGDRGRGD
1Seattle Sounders FC51261.9616734835132211262
2LA Galaxy46251.8413574827212716215
3Real Salt Lake43261.651151040319221018-1
4FC Dallas42261.621286453411269192
5Portland Timbers34261.31881044431250191
6Vancouver Whitecaps33251.3276123334-120213-3
7Colorado Rapids30261.1581263740-322915-12
8San Jose Earthquakes26241.0861082933-419110-5
9Chivas USA24260.9261462344-2110-1513-6

TOP FIVE CLUBS IN EACH CONFERENCE REACH PLAYOFFS

PTS: Points, GP: Games Played, PPG: Points Per Game, W: Wins, L: Losses, T: Ties, GF: Goals For, GA: Goals Against, GD:Goal Difference, HG: Home Goals For, HGD: Home Goals Difference, RG: Road Goals For, RGD: Road Goals Difference,

x – Clinched playoff spot
y – Clinched No. 1 playoff seed in Conference
s – Clinched Supporters Shield, and No. 1 playoff seed in Conference

Here’s the preview from MLSSoccer.com.

REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo. SAR (bench): Fabio Tovar; JAR (opposite): Baboucarr Jallow; 4th: Juan Guzman
MLS Career: 180 games; FC/gm: 25.2; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 62; pens: 66

SUSPENDED: none
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: LA: Dan Gargan, Landon Donovan … COL: Nick LaBrocca
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: LA: A.J. DeLaGarza, Alan Gordon, Marcelo Sarvas … COL: Carlos Alvarez, Thomas Piermayr
DISABLED LIST: none
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: LA: Jaime Penedo (Panama, Copa Centroamericana); Robbie Keane (Ireland, 9/3 v Oman; 9/7 v Georgia); Bradford Jamieson IV (U.S. U-20)

HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (64 meetings): Galaxy 33 wins (2 shootout), 98 goals … Rapids 24 wins (1 shootout), 75 goals … Ties 7
AT LA (31 meetings): Galaxy 22 wins (1 shootout), 60 goals … Rapids 7 wins (1 shootout), 30 goals …Ties 2
2014 (MLS)
5/3: COL 1, LA 0 (Sanchez 20)
8/20: COL 3, LA 4 (Hairston 14; Buddle 17; Burch 30 – Keane 20; Gonzalez 55; Gordon 68; Donovan 80)

  • The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Second-half goals from Alan Gordon, Omar Gonzalez and Landon Donovan brought the Galaxy back from a two-goal deficit for a 4-3 victory Aug. 20 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Vicente Sánchez scored the game’s lone goal in the Rapids’ home victory May 3.
  • The Galaxy win in the last meeting ended a three-game Rapids winning streak in the series, which had put an end to a six-game winless streak over the previous two-plus seasons.
  • Coaches record: Bruce Arena vs. COL: P26 W18 L7 D3 … Pablo Mastroeni vs. LA: P2 W1 L1 D0

The LA Galaxy extended their winning streak to four matches with another impressive performance, this time a comprehensive 3-0 win against Chivas USA on Sunday afternoon at StubHub Center. The Galaxy sit in second place in the Western Conference with 46 points from 25 games.

The Colorado Rapids saw their losing slide extended to six matches, falling 1-0 to Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday at CenturyLink Field. The Rapids are in seventh place in the Western Conference with 30 points from 26 games.

T-85: Rest in peace, Luca DeLaGarza.

T-75: Landon Donovan was named MLS Player of the Month for August. Can he steer the ship tonight against Colorado, as he always has?

T-69: In action earlier this week, the Philadelphia Union defeated Toronto FC 1, the New England Revolution defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-1 and the Seattle Sounders added to Chivas USA’s misery in their 4-2 victory on the road.

T-67: The MLSSoccer.com brains trust is calling for Los Angeles to win this game. The MLS Multiplex is calling for LA to also win, but in another thriller.

T-65: As we like to say, “If you can’t beat em, join em.” For Ghanaian Samuel Inkoom, that means joining D.C. United.

T-60: An hour to go. Sound off on the comments below!

T-52: Normally I don’t do plugs like this, but given the scope of the situation with A.J. DeLaGarza, the MLS Multiplex is hoping you also pitch in to the cause. Click here.

T-50:

T-45: We are 45 minutes away from kickoff at the Hub.

T-36: A massive question that has to be asked is whether or not Alan Gordon can find his form tonight. He’s had a few goals under his belt since rejoining the Galaxy but should have had at least one goal against Chivas USA.

T-30: 30 minutes to kickoff. Lineups coming.

T-28: Lineups.

Lineup

LA GalaxyColorado Rapids
12
GBrian Rowe
23
GJoe Nasco
33
DDan Gargan
15
DChris Klute
4
DOmar González
5
DThomas Piermayr
22
DLeonardo
22
DMarvell Wynne
2
DTodd Dunivant
4
DMarc Burch
6
MBaggio Husidic
6
MJosé Mari
19
MJuninho
8
MDillon Powers
8
MMarcelo Sarvas
2
MNick LaBrocca
10
MLandon Donovan
17
MDillon Serna
11
FGyasi Zardes
9
FEdson Buddle
9
FAlan Gordon
26
FDeshorn Brown

Bench

LA GalaxyColorado Rapids
1
GBrian Perk
21
DGrant Van de Casteele
26
DJames Riley
57
MCarlos Alvarez
21
DTommy Meyer
94
MMarlon Hairston
24
MStefan Ishizaki
7
FVicente Sanchez
25
MRafael Garcia
10
FGabriel Torres
5
MJose Villarreal
19
FCharles Eloundou
30
FChandler Hoffman
Manager
Bruce ArenaPablo Mastroeni

Officials

RefereeBaldomero Toledo
Assistant RefereeFabio Tovar
Assistant RefereeBaboucarr Jallow
Fourth OfficialJuan Guzman

T-25: Want to watch world-class USL PRO soccer for free? Head to StubHub on Sept. 13 for some quarterfinal action.

T-24: Both teams begin warmups.

T-22: A bit of a surprise here today: former Atlanta Silverback Joe Nasco is starting at goalkeeper for Colorado. Can the Nasc add continuity at the goalkeeper position tonight for the Rapids?

T-15: 15 minutes to go before the broadcast begins.

T-6: You should know this by now, but Leonardo is due to make a typical Leonardo mistake tonight. Why do I say that? It’s because it’s obligatory.

T-0: The NBC Sports Network broadcast begins. Both teams conclude warmups.

Both teams enter the pitch, to the strains of the MLS Processional Anthem by Audiobrain. Can Landon Donovan inch closer to the MLS career assist record tonight?

Following a moment of silence for young Luca…here is the national anthem by Shelby Tweten.

I can’t believe it. Shelby forgot the lyrics. Yes, you are not hearing things. She forgot “What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight…” This might be playing into Colorado’s hands here.

FIRST HALF START: 7:53 P.M. PT/10:53 P.M. ET

1′ – The first half begins. Hopefully that’s the last of the bloopers we see tonight.

Cool for a late summer night. Todd Dunivant. And we have a red card already!

Red card 23 Joe Nasco

Colorado Rapids

2′  – Okay, we were wrong. There’s more shenanigans.

3′ – Now Pablo Mastroeni is wondering what’s going on. Colorado down to 10 men. Well, we did say Clint Irwin was going to get the start, and, well, he’s up at bat already.

4′  – Substitution Colorado Rapids
IN 1 Clint Irwin
OUT 17 Dillon Serna

5′ – Landon  Donovan is already the goal king. This is just going to add to his tally.

GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 10 Landon Donovan

Game on, here at the Hub.

6′ – Here’s Brian Rowe with his first collection of the night, on Edson Buddle.

7′ – With the lead in hand, the Galaxy main objective of the night is this: string some passes.

8′ – So now you can expect Los Angeles to pile on the possession stats, but that’s only if they can pile the passes.

9′ – A missed read by Gyasi Zardes, and that’s what LA has to avoid. Here’s Irwin with a save on Alan Gordon.

10′ – Gordon wins a restart. This target forward will need to get on goal and show some creativity with the finish. Throw-in, LA.

11′ – Colorado’s new captain, young Dillon Powers, plays it forward. Thomas Piermayr wins a restart.

12′ – Baggio Husidic was a bit too lazy there with receiving the pass. Here’s Todd Dunivant.

13′ – Landon Donovan wins a corner. Cleared off the line. That’s Nick LaBrocca, I believe.

14′ – Seem the Rapids play settled when Irwin is the goalkeeper and they are a man down and a goal down. Then it becomes an even match. Jose Mari plays it back.

15′  – And that was not a good touch from Donovan. As long as the Galaxy can stay compact and disciplined they will be fine.

16′  – Gyasi Zardes wins another Donovan corner. Cleared. The rebound missed for Zardes.

17′  – Donovan again. And Piermayr is shaken up. He’s fine, though.

18′  – Galaxy can be content to play hot potato a bit.

19′ – Dunivant will watch that go for a throw-in.

20′ – And a Galaxy player is shaken up. Here’s to you, Luca!

21′ – “Ole, ole, ole, Luca, Luca,” chant the fans. What a tribute.

22′ – “LUCA!” “DELAGARZA!” That’s what they’re chanting. Kinda takes away from the match, but it’s nice.

23′ – Donovan corner.

24′ – Headed wide left and out for a goal kick to Clint Irwin, who, to be honest, should have had the start.

25′ – I think what the Galaxy need to do is settle down and let the ball come to them. And Todd Dunivant is hurt.

26′ – Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 24 Stefan Ishizaki
OUT 2 Todd Dunivant

27′ – I have to wonder if Todd Dunivant’s playing days are numbered now. That looked bad.

28′ – So now you have a three-man line of Gargan, Gonzalez and Leonardo in the back. Red flag raised.

29′ – Well, Dunivant is able to get up and get back to his seat, but he is a disconsolate figure at the moment and he should be.

30′ – GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 6 Baggio Husidic
Great team passing will beat you, and that had solid great team passing all over.

31′ – Gordon just conceded a restart. So now the onus is on Pablo to throw in Vicente Sanchez…as a lifeline.

Yellow card 6 Baggio Husidic
Los Angeles Galaxy

32′ – I don’t think there was much in that yellow card, but this is Baldomero Toledo we’re talking about.

33′ – And Husidic is down, as well as a Colorado player. That’s LaBrocca.

34′ – Leonardo wins a throw. Convenience. Here come the G’s. That final pass to Gordon was intercepted.

35′ – Gordon is being double-teamed. Oh, to be a target forward. And he is picked off again.

36′ – If a lesson is to be learned for the Galaxy this half, it’s to never be satisfied and be wary of a rally. Case in point: Seattle against Chivas.

37′ – A long free kick from the halfway line is cleared. Back come LA on the transition. Ishizaki with agility.

38′ – LA with the Adventures in Team Passing. A long ball to Ishizaki is too long.

39′ – Brian Rowe restarts. Another long ball to Ishizaki is cleared by Chris Klute. First time I called his name. Deshorn Brown is offsides.

40′ – Toledo warns Brown to stop delaying things or a card is coming.

41′ – Going back to the case in point: Seattle gave up two goals in the second half to Chivas but still won 4-2 on an Andy Rose brace. Just too much Brad Evans. Corner now for Donovan. Can he get an assist here? Short. Pushed aside by Irwin, another save, and Omar Gonzalez showed that he can only score with his head and rarely with anything else.

42′ – Colorado broke that sequence up, but they needed to show composure there.

43′ – Leonardo concedes a dangerous set piece from about 15 yards out. Here’s the Rapids captain, Dillon Powers. Punched aside by Rowe.

44′ – Husidic watches that go out for a throw. He’s been on fire, Baggio has.

45′ – Four minutes additional time.

45′ + 1′ – Both teams have been doing a bit too much ballwatching here. Sloppy finish to the first half.

45′ + 2′ – GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 11 Gyasi Zardes
Gyasi, as they say in Australia, “YOU BEAUTYYYYYYYYY!”

45′ + 3′ – Now it’s a matter of how many more goals with Colorado allow in this half. There might be room for one more.

45′ + 4′ – Halftime.

HALFTIME
Los Angeles Galaxy 3
Colorado Rapids 0

Team Statistics

11Shots1
5Shots on Target1
2Shots off Target0
4Blocked Shots0
4Corners0
17Crosses2
0Offsides1
6Fouls3
1Yellow Cards0
0Red Cards1
344Total Passes128
91 %Passing Accuracy73 %
73.5 %Possession26.5 %
17Duels Won13
4Tackles Won4
1Saves1
7Clearances16

Goals and Assists

5′
Landon Donovan (PK)
30′
Baggio Husidic

Assisted By: Alan GordonMarcelo Sarvas

45’+2′

Gyasi Zardes

Assisted By: Landon DonovanBaggio Husidic

Disciplinary

1′
Joe Nasco

Reason: Professional foul

30′

Baggio Husidic

Reason: Excessive celebration

And yes, Donovan did record an assist. He’s five away from Ralston’s record, and he may not be done yet. In fact, get this: he might as well not be.

SECOND HALF START: 8:58 P.M. PT/11:58 P.M. ET

46′ – The second half begins. Are we going to see Vicente Sanchez throw Colorado a lifeline here? I think Bruce told his men to play like they’re three goals and a man down.

47′ – Deshorn Brown shows his ambition.  And a penalty. Zardes wins a penalty. Ouch. And just when it couldn’t get any worse for the Rapids…it does. Can Irwin solve Donovan this time? The answer: no.

GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 10 Landon Donovan
Easy as you like.

48′ – Colorado have fallen apart at the seams. Only 48 minutes in and they are up 4-0. Now, can LA apply the lessons learned from Seattle nearly giving up the rally to Chivas at this same venue a few night ago?

49′ – Dan Gargan tried to be a bit cheeky there.

50′ – The delay from Gordon to Husidic results in a blocked shot.

Yellow card 24 Stefan Ishizaki
Los Angeles Galaxy

51′ – That’s just clumsy right there from Ishi; he should no better. Zardes whiffed on that one.

52′ – Memo to Colorado: the offside trap won’t work if a few are at the controls. Toledo, being sympathetic, gives the benefit of the doubt and the goal kick to Irwin.

Substitution Colorado Rapids
IN 94 Marlon Hairston
OUT 2 Nick LaBrocca

53′ – Substitution Colorado Rapids
IN 7 Vicente Sanchez
OUT 8 Dillon Powers

54′ – If LA can prevent Vicente Sanchez from making a big run, Colorado are in a no-win situation.

55′ – Husidic concedes a restart to Colorado. Yep, I believe Toledo is feeling a bit sorry for the Rapids at this point. No doubt about it.

56′ – Another bad touch from Ishizaki. Now you can see why he is off the bench, and now starting. Sanchez is offsides.

57′ – Well, I warned you all to be wary of Sanchez, and if it weren’t for Toledo, this might be a game again. Here’s Ishizaki. Husidic. And we got a man down.

58′ – Yellow card 4 Marc Burch
Colorado Rapids

Colorado are a frustrated outfit, rightfully so. LA offsides. A rarity.

59′ – Not a good clearance from Juninho; should have taken his time there. Husidic hits the side netting.

60′ – The Galaxy have been leaving so many goals on the table tonight; it’s as if Luca grew up in heaven and is playing FIFA 15 on the XBox One. At the lowest difficulty level possible, even!

61′ – Burch with the throw. Colorado need to string some passes together.

62′ – A little cheeky lob from long distance from Sanchez.

63′ – First big save of the night from Brian Rowe. Corner, Colorado. It’s Sanchez, who else. Zardes clears.

64′ – Marcelo Sarvas with the speculative clearance. And Rowe snatches the ball. Way to be assertive, backup. Back come the Rapids, this is great football from them, finally. And LA win it back.

65′ – Bad read from Gargan there. Will this impact his final player rating? Tune in tomorrow. Or later this morning, depending on your part of America.

66′ – A set piece from 25 out. And a collection from Rowe. He’s been waiting for his chance, and he’s taking advantage of it like a buzzard going in for the kill.

67′ — Gordon wins a restart for Colorado, that’s poor from him. Edson Buddle is not getting a break today.

68′ – Marvell Wynne with the don’t argue.  Here’s Marlon Hairston. Nice try Marlon, but that won’t work.

69′ – Another save from Rowe. He’s playing out of his skins tonight!

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 21 Tommy Meyer
OUT 4 Omar Gonzalez

70′ – Now I swear to young Luca that the man on the tannoy pronounced Tommy as “Tony.” What a strange game so far. And another yellow…

Yellow card 5 Thomas Piermayr
Colorado Rapids

71′ – From 20 out, short. Blocked and the restart.

72′ – And another miss for Baggio Husidic. Boy, he would like to have his last two attempts back. Ohhhhh my!

73′ – 18,145 in attendance. Typical crowd for Friday night. Well, we’re seeing a lot of fireworks on the pitch, but there will be more after the game.

74′ – Toledo awards a goal kick to Irwin. And Bruce Arena is furious. As are most of the fans here at the Hub..

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 30 Chandler Hoffman
OUT 9 Alan Gordon

75′ – GOAL! Los Anglees Galaxy 11 Gyasi Zardes
Praise be to [insert random god here], everyone gets a free oil change from Tire Pros!

76′ – This is going to have a frantic finish, and Brian Rowe is on notice. Another collection.

77′ – That was a good run from Zardes, but Marvell Wynne cleans up.

78′ – Yeah, I’m totally convinced Luca is controlling this game right now.

79′ – I don’t think Los Angeles are finished just yet, they want at least one more.

80′ – Marcelo Sarvas with the party tricks. Innocent overhead at best.

81′ – Clint Irwin just gets there to deny Landon Donovan. The crowd wanted a penalty. They’re not getting it. Toledo’s figured Colorado has suffered enough. He won’t award it.

82′ – Chandler Hoffman gets beaten off the ball again.

83′ – Dan Gargan lays it off for Rowe. He’s been clutch when he had to be. Jose Mari with the steal. Back come LA. Off the post. A lot of heartbreakers for Los Angeles in terms of finishing. Could that be bad news when they face Montreal?

84′ – Yellow card 94 Marlon Hairston
Colorado Rapids

Easy call right there. That’s a blatant shirt tug.

85′ – So, the fans have decided, “Okay, we’re going back to our homes, we’re going off to the bars, we’re gonna get some sleep, and we’re getting the you know what outta here.”

86′ –  GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 6 Baggio Husidic
This game’s in the refrigerator. The doors are closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter’s getting hard, the jello is jiggling, and the Luca is giggling.

87′ – Just a game of keepaway now.

88′ – Colorado can’t wait to leave. This series is going to LA. With authority, on the wings on an angel.

89′ – Leonardo concedes a free, but it’s academic, no need for stoppage time either.

90′ – That’s it. Four more to go before the record….

FINAL
Los Angeles Galaxy 6
Colorado Rapids 0

Team Statistics

20Shots6
8Shots on Target5
6Shots off Target1
6Blocked Shots0
4Corners1
25Crosses8
1Offsides2
13Fouls8
2Yellow Cards3
0Red Cards1
680Total Passes243
91 %Passing Accuracy71 %
73.8 %Possession26.2 %
32Duels Won37
9Tackles Won12
5Saves1
15Clearances22

Goals and Assists

5′
Landon Donovan (PK)
30′
Baggio Husidic

Assisted By: Alan GordonMarcelo Sarvas

45’+2′

Gyasi Zardes

Assisted By: Landon DonovanBaggio Husidic

47′

Landon Donovan

(PK)

75′

Gyasi Zardes

Assisted By: Stefan Ishizaki

86′

Baggio Husidic

Assisted By: Landon Donovan,Marcelo Sarvas

Disciplinary

1′
Joe Nasco

Reason: Professional foul

30′

Baggio Husidic

Reason: Excessive celebration

50′

Stefan Ishizaki

Reason: Foul

57′

Marc Burch

Reason: Foul

70′

Thomas Piermayr

Reason: Foul

84′

Marlon Hairston

Reason: Off the ball foul

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