COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Things We Learned from the Galaxy’s 1-0 defeat to the Colorado Rapids. The Rapids advanced to the Western Conference Championship by winning 3-1 on penalty kicks.
GOALKEEPER POSITION PLAYS THE DIFFERENCE TO SEND THE GALAXY OUT
Brian Rowe did all he could, but in the end, his opponent Tim Howard bested the LA Galaxy goalkeeper in a penalty kick shootout.
Howard made a pair of saves in the decisive penalty kick shootout to eliminate the Galaxy from the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs, while Rowe was unable to stop a single effort by the Rapids. The defeat erased a relatively strong performance by the Galaxy’s netminder who was solid throughout the 120 minutes.
Despite the defeat, Rowe will have plenty to build on heading into the 2017 season when he will once be entrusted to be the Galaxy’s No. 1 goalkeeper.
JELLE VAN DAMME SHOWS HEART IN BRAVE PERFORMANCE
Jelle Van Damme is universally loved by the LA Galaxy faithful and games like the Sunday’s defeat to the Colorado Rapids show exactly why.
Van Damme was heroic in central defense as the Galaxy were able to stop a Rapids attack that was limited to a miracle goal by Shkelzen Gashi. Not only did the Belgian defender routinely stop every Rapids attempt thrown his way, the 33-year-old played the final 30 minutes of the match with a hyperextended knee and didn’t appear to miss a beat.
After the match, the Galaxy captain was visibly emotional as he thanked the team’s traveling supporters. Although the sting of the defeat will hurt for the moment, the Galaxy are in good straits with Van Damme returning for the 2017 campaign.
PLENTY OF QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED IN 2017
What’s next for the LA Galaxy?
Bruce Arena’s men head into the postseason with many questions surrounding a team that could look very different when they take the field next March. Most of the speculation will swirl around the futures of Landon Donovan, Steven Gerrard, and Robbie Keane who are all question marks heading into next year.
Regardless of whether or not the three stars return to the Galaxy in 2017, changes can be expected ahead of next year.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atwww.LAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
