COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano’s Three Points to the LA Galaxy’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to the Colorado Rapids.
DILLON POWERS LEADS THE WAY FOR COLORADO
The Colorado Rapids put forth a thorough performance in the 2-0 victory over the LA Galaxy on Saturday night with rookie midfielder Dillon Powers leading the charge.
Powers played a part in both of Colorado’s goals as he launched a corner kick that was headed in by Hendry Thomas just minutes before the end of the first half, which killed any momentum LA gained early. Just two minutes into the start of the second half, Powers got on the board himself as he was sprung free by an Edson Buddle pass, and then muscled past Sean Franklin before calmly beating Carlo Cudicini for the second goal. Key to the rookie’s success was his fellow midfielders’ ability to win possession, which allowed the rookie to scoop up possession and then press up field to cause havoc for LA’s defenders.
Due to the rookie’s stellar showing, Colorado is now unbeaten in six games and leapfrogged LA in the ever-congested Western Conference standings.
SET PIECE GOALS BECOMING ALARMING FOR THE GALAXY
Set pieces seem to be dooming the LA Galaxy this season and proved fatal yet again against the Rapids.
Thomas’ goal off a corner kick from Powers was the seventh time this season that LA had conceded on a set piece opportunity and the third off a corner. What has been most worrying has been LA’s marking in the box as the Galaxy have struggled at times to lock down runners into the box, resulting in dangerous opportunities for their opposition. On the Thomas finish, it appeared that three defenders were unable to hold the Honduran as he charged towards goal before beating Cudicini for the first strike of the game. The finish was also the second time in three games that LA had conceded the game-winning-goal on a corner kick.
On the offensive end, LA created little as their best chance came off a Juninho free kick during stoppage time that went wide of the goal. To date, LA has scored just four times off set pieces in 2013—once off a corner and three times off an indirect free kick.
AWAY WOES CONTINUE
What was once one of the LA Galaxy’s strengths has turned into a weakness this season as LA’s defeat in Colorado continued their poor run of form away from StubHub Center.
This season the Galaxy are a disappointing 3-8-1 on the road. To add to the woes, LA has not won a road match since June 23 against Chivas USA. But the last time LA won a game away from StubHub Center was on May 15 when they defeated the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park— a full 12 matches ago.
Following the Guinness International Championship Cup, the Galaxy will get a chance to right their poor form away from home when they face FC Dallas in Frisco, Texas on Aug. 11. The Galaxy will then play four of their next five MLS matches at StubHub Center.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
