AFTER EARLY GOAL, GALAXY ATTACK STRUGGLES TO FINISH
When Marcelo Sarvas put the LA Galaxy up 1-0 in the 10th minute of play, it seemed that LA would run rampant over the struggling Rapids, but ultimately, it was not to be.
Throughout the match, the Galaxy seemed to push forward at will, but due to poor finishing and a pesky Rapids defense LA was unable to find the go-ahead goal. Despite registering a total of five shots on frame, LA saw five shots blocked by the Colorado backline.
However, the Galaxy believed that they should have been awarded a goal in the 29th minute when Landon Donovan turned defender Hunter Freeman and scored, but was whistled for a foul by referee Allen Chapman. The Galaxy captain was so incensed by the call that he rushed up field to confront Chapman and was subsequently awarded a yellow card for dissent.
DELAGARZA GOES DOWN WITH KNEE INJURY
The LA Galaxy’s back four has been vital to the club’s recent rise up the standings, but on Sunday LA’s defense took a major blow with an injury to center back A.J. DeLaGarza.
In the 30th minute, DeLaGarza was attempting to defend a run for Omar Cummings and appeared to bump the inside of his knee with the knee of the Jamaican forward. At halftime, a team spokesman confirmed that preliminary diagnosis was a left knee sprain.
DeLaGarza’s injury caused rookie Tommy Meyer to step into the fold for his first league appearance since LA’s 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls on May 5. In his 56 minute stint, Meyer, who was playing alongside Omar Gonzalez for the first time, was solid in shutting down the Colorado attack. However, LA will need to see more of the same from him, depending on the severity of DeLaGarza’s injury.
SAUNDERS HELPS GALAXY WEATHER THE STORM
It was a difficult night for the Galaxy, but thanks to the clutch play of Josh Saunders, the Galaxy were able to hold onto a point and extend their unbeaten streak to ten games in all competitions.
On the night, Saunders registered two saves, but his contributions were far beyond his save numbers. As the Rapids pushed forward in search of an equalizer, it was Saunders who was able to make a key clearance or save to prevent Colorado from pulling ahead.
Success at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is nothing new for Saunders, who saved a stoppage time penalty kick during the club’s trip to Commerce City, preserving a 2-1 Galaxy victory.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@G mail.com
