CARSON, Calif. – Confidence appears to be high on the LA Galaxy, a logical conclusion reached after Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in an elimination game in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The five-time MLS Cup champions won comfortably and handily – “I never thought we were in danger, to be honest with you,” striker Robbie Keane said – and understandably sounded upbeat about their chances in the Western Conference semifinals against the Colorado Rapids.
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The two-leg series begins Sunday at StubHub Center at 2 p.m. (ESPN). The return match is set for Sunday, Nov. 6 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
There are other reasons for their burgeoning optimism. Keane, who was a second-half substitute Wednesday, appears fully recovered from hip flexor tightness and midfielder Steven Gerrard, who played in just three of the Galaxy’s last 10 regular-season matches because of lingering hamstring problems, could make his first appearance in the starting eleven since Oct. 1.
“I think mentally and physically, we’re good,” said defender Jelle Van Damme, who was called “a difference-maker” by Real Salt Lake head coach Jeff Cassar after Wednesday’s match. “I think we’re ready.”
Galaxy players did strike a cautionary tone when discussing what lies ahead in the playoffs. Specifically Colorado, which finished second in the Western Conference, just two points behind FC Dallas, and allowed a league-low 32 goals. The Rapids also went 1-0-2 against the Galaxy this season, that lone victory a dramatic 1-0 triumph featuring Marco Pappa’s stunning goal in the 95th minute on March 12 in Colorado.
“Completely different opposition to Salt Lake,” Keane said. “Sunday against Colorado will be completely different in terms of how they approach the game … a fit team, they press a lot, good players, a good manager, doing a great job this season.
“We’re expecting a completely different game.”
Sunday’s matchup will mark the first time Colorado has appeared in the Western Conference semifinals since 2006. They did reach the semis in 2010 and 2011, but that was when the Rapids were members of the Eastern Conference.
Colorado’s last playoff win was a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew on Oct. 27, 2011 in a play-in match. The Galaxy’s Robbie Rogers played for the Crew that day.
The Rapids’ last postseason meeting with the Galaxy was on Nov. 5, 2005 in the Western Conference championship. Landon Donovan scored both goals in a 2-0 victory and the Galaxy went to claim their second MLS Cup with a 1-0 victory over New England.
Colorado is led by Swiss midfielder Shkelzen Gashi’s team-leading nine goals. He also has four assists. Midfielder Dominique Badji and forward Kevin Doyle each have six goals and goalkeepers Tim Howard and Zac MacMath have combined for 13 shutouts.
“We know this is a much different level than the Salt Lake team we played against,” Donovan said. “We’re going to have to be even better, but we’re confident we can be.
“Winning feels good whenever, but winning in the playoffs feels great. I want to have that feeling. The feeling after the game Wednesday night was tremendous. We hope that’s the case again.”
LA GALAXY vs. COLORADO RAPIDS
2016 Western Conference Semifinal – Leg 1
StubHub Center | Carson, California
Sunday, Oct. 30
2:00 pm PT (ESPN in the US | TSN1/4 in Canada)
The Lowdown:
It’s glitz vs. grit in this series, as the high-profile LA Galaxy get set to open the Western Conference Semifinals against the upstart Colorado Rapids at StubHub Center on Sunday. The Galaxy ended the season in a bit of a rut, but looked plenty lively in their Knockout Round win against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, dispatching their longtime Western Conference rival 3-1 in Carson.
The Rapids enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in all of MLS, finishing the regular season behind only Supporters’ Shield winners FC Dallas. They drew perhaps the league’s toughest out in LA, who Colorado will try to limit with their disciplined defensive approach.
LA Galaxy Snapshot:
- 2016 Regular Season Finish: West No. 3 seed (12-6-16 record, 52 pts / 8-1-8 home record)
- Current Form: L-L-W-D-W
- Strengths: Talented, experienced roster featuring stars in Gio dos Santos, Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard and under-the-radar difference makers Ema Boateng, Sebastian Lletget and Alan Gordon.
- Weaknesses: When all three of their DPs are in the lineup, things can get a little disjointed. That could be fatal against the well-drilled Rapids.
- Injuries/Suspensions: QUESTIONABLE: F – Gyasi Zardes (metatarsal), M – Steven Gerrard (hamstring)
- Player to Watch: Giovani dos Santos. The Mexican national team star is the man for LA at the moment. If he can get firing in the playoffs, LA’s race to seis could end in December.
- Probable Starting XI: Brian Rowe; Ashley Cole, Jelle Van Damme, Daniel Steres, Robbie Rogers; Baggio Husidic, Sebastian Lletget; Landon Donovan, Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng; Robbie Keane
Colorado Rapids Snapshot:
- 2016 Regular Season Finish: West No. 2 seed (15-6-13 record, 58 pts / 4-6-7 away record)
- Current Form: W-W-W-L-D
- Strengths: Colorado are built around the stingiest defense in the league. If they can keep things clean, they’ll have a good shot at advancing to the West final.
- Weaknesses: While they’re excellent in the back, Colorado scored the fewest goals of any playoff team this year. If they fall behind in the first leg, it could be a long road back.
- Injuries/Suspensions: OUT: M – Dillon Serna (knee); QUESTIONABLE: M – Jermaine Jones (knee)
- Player to Watch: Jermaine Jones. The US international missed over four months with a knee injury before returning to play 22 minutes off the bench against Houston last Sunday. The Rapids could certainly use a full 90 – or two – from him this series.
- Probable Starting XI: Tim Howard; Eric Miller, Jared Watts, Axel Sjoberg, Mekeil Williams; Sam Cronin, Michael Azira; Sebastien Le Toux, Kevin Doyle, Shkelzen Gashi; Dominique Badji
Match Essentials
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Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referees: Jeffrey Hosking (AR1), Brian Poeschel (AR2)
4th Official: Chris Penso
LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids Head-to-Head
All-Time (70 Meetings)
LA 35 wins, 109 goals • Colorado 25 wins, 79 goals • Ties 10
All-Time Playoff Meetings (7 Meetings):
LA 6 wins, 14 goals • Colorado 1 win, 1 goal • Ties 0
All-Time in LA (35 meetings):
LA 23 wins, 67 goals • Colorado 7 wins, 31 goals • Ties 5
2016 Meetings (3 meetings):
COL 1, LA 0 (Mar. 12); LA 0, COL 0 (June 22); LA 1, COL 1 (Aug. 13)
