Colorado Rapids Defeat LA Galaxy 3-1 on Penalties to Advance in MLS Cup Playoffs
The Colorado Rapids outlasted the Los Angeles Galaxy in the second leg of their semifinal match-up as the home team advanced after penalties.
An intense match-up between the Colorado Rapids and the Los Angeles Galaxy could not be decided in only 90 minutes. A superb strike from Gashi meant that penalties would be needed to find a winner. Heroics from Colorado and mistakes from LA led to victory for the Rapids.
After the Los Angeles Galaxy won the first leg at home, 1-0, the Colorado Rapids were forced to fight back in the second leg. That is exactly what they did as they evened up the aggregate at 1-1 after a first half goal. The game wasn’t filled with action but it was a hard-fought defensive affair.
Jermaine Jones returned to the Starting XI for Pablo Mastroeni’s side for the first time in about four months. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to make it the full 90 as the American dealt with cramps in the later stages of the match. Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard both started on the bench for Bruce Arena but they came in during the second half to try and spark life into the Galaxy offense.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
Gashi’s World Class Finish
After a somewhat calm first 30′ minutes, the tempo started to pick up for the Rapids. Colorado’s attacking midfielder, Shkelzen Gashi, launched a shot from way outside the box and the curling strike found the upper corner of the goal. There was nothing Brian Rowe could do as the shot bounced off the post and into the back of the net. The Rapids were up 1-0 in the game and tied 1-1 on aggregate.
Neither side found a breakthrough in the second 45′ and the game was forced into extra time.
Extra Time
For the majority of the 30 minutes of extra time, the Galaxy was on the back foot. LA was defending furiously as they kept Colorado from finding a winner. Los Angeles’ defensive efforts were rewarded as the game went to penalties after a scoreless extra period.
Penalties
After both teams buried their first penalty shot, Giovani dos Santos missed the frame of the goal and that led to the unraveling of the Galaxy. Ashley Cole then had his spot kick saved by Tim Howard and Jeff Larentowicz missed the defining shot off the post to secure the Rapids spot in the next round.
The Colorado Rapids will now advance to the Western Conference Championship to take on either the Seattle Sounders or FC Dallas. The LA Galaxy’s season is now over and they will have to regroup for next year. They have a number of questions that lie ahead for their squad.