Luca DeLaGarza’s Spirit Powers Los Angeles Galaxy Over Colorado Rapids (VIDEO)
Aug 27, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; D.C. Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan (10) raises his arms after scoring on a penalty kick in the second half of the game against D.C. United at StubHub Center. Galaxy won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
"“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” -Isaiah 11:6"
On an emotional Friday night at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., the boundless spirit of young Luca DeLaGarza powered Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy to their most emphatic victory of the season, a 6-0 shutout victory over Pablo Mastroeni’s Colorado Rapids, further cementing their place in the Western Conference race.
One can say that by the time Luca reached heaven, he grew into a young man overnight, turned on an XBox One and played FIFA 15 to get this scoreline and the chaos that ensued. Indeed, a little child’s spirit led the Galaxy to this resounding result, making Isaiah quite the prophet in his day. Hear what Bruce Arena had to say following this victory.
Let’s take a look at the six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for the match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Colorado Rapids.
1. He go, Joe! He go, Joe! He gone!
Pablo Mastroeni had to wonder why he bothered starting Joe Nasco in goal for the Colorado Rapids. Just seconds in, not only did he concede a penalty, he tackled Alan Gordon like a Denver Bronco—shoestring style. Wrong league, Joe. Training camp for the Broncos ended a few weeks ago. I’m sure they might need a linebacker or two, maybe? Enter Landon Donovan to add another to his extensive collection of goals. Oh yes, and that was the fastest red card in MLS history.
2. Baggio Husidic continues his hotstreak
Perfect pinpoint passing is the hallmark of a Los Angeles Galaxy team playing with all cylinders firing. In this sequence, in the 30th minute, Baggio Husidic finishes off an impressive sequence initiated by Gordon and Marcelo Sarvas. Gordon wouldn’t get on the scoresheet, but at least he did get involved nonetheless. What made this even more impressive was that the passes from Gordon and also Gyasi Zardes…were backheels.
3. Here comes Gyasinho!
More pinpoint one-touch passing took place in the second minute of first half injury time. Gyasi Zardes made it 13 goals on his breakthrough season, finishing off a sequence set up by the aforementioned Husidic and Landon Donovan, who is now making a serious run at Steve Ralston’s assist record.
4. Landon Donovan adds another
More from Colorado Rapids
- Chris Armas: A New Era of Opportunities for the Colorado Rapids
- Colorado Rapids’ Search for a New Coach: The Twist of Chris Armas
- Daniel Chacón: A Colorado Rapids Promise Faces Rehabilitation Challenge
- Colorado Rapids: In Search of Identity and Efficiency
- Colorado Rapids Shake-up: A Necessary Turnaround
Donovan is already the world-famous MLS Goal King of Record, but making history as the first to reach 150 career regular season goals might seem like a real possibility. Chris Klute fouled Zardes in the 46th minute, and Donovan stepped up to the plate and finished the way Landon Donovan finishes penalties.
5. More from Gyasinho! Zardes makes it happen again
Stefan Ishizaki came in at the 26th minute to relieve Todd Dunivant, whose playing days might be numbered after another injury. He did well in relief, and delivered another assist, this time to Zardes in 75th minute. At this point, it wasn’t a matter of whether or not the Galaxy would win the game, it was rather by how many. Lamentable finishing from LA in the second half could have made this worse than it really was. The goal was Zardes’s 14th of the season.
6. Baggio’s best game ever…in an LA Galaxy uniform
But Los Angeles weren’t finished just yet. As for Baggio Husidic, he wanted a brace, too. So it was back to the pinpoint one-touch passing, and a sequence from Sarvas and Donovan resulted in a brace for Husidic in the 86th minute of play. Donovan, as of right now, is four assists away from passing Steve Ralston. There is a chance that the fans at Buck Shaw Stadium could see history in the making.
Colorado was only able to win their duels and tackles and clearances. After that, the Galaxy dominated the team stats, justifying the scoreline. The most glaring statistics come in possession, shots and corners. This was one-sided. Colorado came unglued when Nasco was sent off for his shoestring tackle and they never recovered, despite giving backup goalkeeper Brian Rowe some work.
Team Statistics
Los Angeles Galaxy on left, Colorado Rapids on right
| 20 | Shots | 6 |
| 8 | Shots on Target | 5 |
| 6 | Shots off Target | 1 |
| 6 | Blocked Shots | 0 |
| 4 | Corners | 1 |
| 25 | Crosses | 8 |
| 1 | Offsides | 2 |
| 13 | Fouls | 8 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 1 |
| 680 | Total Passes | 243 |
| 91 % | Passing Accuracy | 71 % |
| 73.8 % | Possession | 26.2 % |
| 32 | Duels Won | 37 |
| 9 | Tackles Won | 12 |
| 5 | Saves | 1 |
| 15 | Clearances | 22 |
Los Angeles Galaxy Player Ratings
Brian Rowe 8, Dan Gargan 7, Leonardo 7, Omar Gonzalez 7, Todd Dunivant 3, Baggio Husidic 8.5, Juninho 6, Landon Donovan 10, Marcelo Sarvas 8, Alan Gordon 8, Gyasi Zardes 9, Stefan Ishizaki 6.5, Tommy Meyer 4, Chandler Hoffman 3
Colorado Rapids Player Ratings
Joe Nasco 1, Clint Irwin 2, Chris Klute 3, Marc Burch 2.5, Marvell Wynne 3, Thomas Piermayr 2.5, Deshorn Brown 4, Dillon Serna NR, Jose Mari 2, Nick LaBrocca 3, Dillon Powers 3, Edson Buddle 5, Marlon Hairston 2.5, Vicente Sanchez 3