CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane vividly remembers the first time he played at altitude, and it isn’t a particularly fond memory. It has nothing to do with winning or losing, either.
“I couldn’t breathe,” he said as the five-time MLS Cup champions prepared to play the Colorado Rapids on Saturday (4 p.m., Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Time Warner Cable Deportes) at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. “It is what it is. You can’t make excuses.
“We just have to try and manage the game and be successful.”
The Galaxy (1-0) actually have had their of success in Commerce City, which is located just under a mile above sea level. They haven’t lost in Colorado (0-1) since a 1-0 defeat in May, 2014 and have a four-game unbeaten streak in the series overall. The Galaxy won last year’s meeting there, 3-1, thanks to second-half goals by Sebastian Lletget, Alan Gordon and Keane. They also rallied in the second half on Aug. 20, 2014 for a thrilling 4-3 victory in Colorado.
Any visit to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park naturally revolves around playing at altitude, and it was no different during training this week. Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena was asked for his thoughts on preparing his club for this weekend.
“What would your suggestion be?” he good-naturedly asked reporters. “Put them in a chamber or something? I’m sure that works. We could move to Denver and not have to worry about it. Just travel here for games; we would be fine.
“We’re going to think about relocating.”
The Galaxy’s Mike Magee, whose brace in last Saturday’s 4-1 victory over D.C. United were his first two goals in the league since Aug. 10, 2014, is by no means a fan of playing at altitude. But he wasn’t especially worried about the physical challenge, nor was he concerned with the reaction of newcomers Ashley Cole, Jelle Van Damme or Nigel de Jong.
“Colorado kind of sucks playing there,” Magee said. “It hits you around the 30th minute. You feel like you’re done, then you get a second wind. We have enough veteran players that understand what’s going on, so I don’t see that as too much of a disadvantage.”
Van Damme said early in the week playing at altitude was more of a mental challenge than physical.
“Keep an eye on Jelle,” Magee said with a grin. ”I think he’s going to feel it.”
Cole said he’s already heard from teammates about what to expect this weekend.
“I think everyone keeps saying it’s hard to breathe,” he said. “You kind of get tired from zero minutes to 30 minutes; it kind of takes a toll on your body. And after that you kind of get a second wind.
“Hopefully that happens and we have control of the game before this. But I’m looking forward to the game anyway.”
De Jong said the altitude is not something to worry about.
“At the end of the day it’s about the game,” he said. “Both teams have to deal with it. Whoever is mentally stronger at that point is going to win the game.”
COLORADO RAPIDS vs. LA GALAXY
DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PARK, Commerce City, Colo.
March 12, 2016 (WEEK 2, MLS Game #15)
4 PM PT (Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Time Warner Cable Deportes)
- The Rapids opened their 2016 campaign with a 1-0 defeat at the San Jose Earthquakes. They last opened a season with a victory in 2012, a 2-0 win vs. Columbus; they had reached draws in season openers each of the last two years.
- Making his return for the LA Galaxy, his first match with the club since 2013, Mike Magee scored a pair of goals to lead his once former and new team to a 4-1 victory against D.C. United at StubHub Center. They were Magee’s first goals in MLS play since Aug. 10, 2014, when he scored for the Chicago Fire vs. the Red Bulls.
- The Galaxy have a four-game undefeated streak alive in the series. The teams reached a 1-1 draw May 2 at StubHub Center, then the Galaxy claimed a 3-1 victory Aug. 1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
- The Galaxy have won the last two meetings in Commerce City after last year’s victory there, ending a two-game Rapids home winning streak in the series – their first home wins vs. LA since 2008.
