COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides the “Three Things That We Learned” from the Galaxy’s 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.
OFFENSE STILL WORKING OUT THE KINKS
The Galaxy did enough for a point in Colorado for 94 minutes, but LA recorded their first loss of 2016 after conceding a heartbreaking goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Head referee Fotis Bazakos‘ decision to call for five minutes of stoppage time was highly controversial and left Bruce Arena and the Galaxy coaching staff fuming after the result. The winner came with practically the last kick of the game when an errant Daniel Steres clearance fell to Marco Pappa, who beat goalkeeper Brian Rowe for the game winner. In his postgame availability, Arena described the decision to award five minutes of added time as a “crime” which helped rob the Galaxy of a deserved point.
Regardless of the result, the Galaxy showed their ability to manage the game in a sloppy contest that was marred by the punishing altitude and a brisk wind which wreaked havoc on both teams in the second half.
ANOTHER SOLID NIGHT FOR BRIAN ROWE DESPITE LOSS
With Dan Kennedy injured, Brian Rowe laid his claim to the LA Galaxy’s top goalkeeping job with another strong performance on Saturday.
The Galaxy’s backup goalkeeper enjoyed a busy night making seven saves in the club’s 1-0 defeat to the Rapids. Rowe’s finest moment came in the 79nd minute when he denied a Shkëlzen Gashi attempt from distance.
With Kennedy dealing with a leg muscle injury, Arena will need to decide if Rowe should be given the starting job going forward.
DANIEL STERES’ UP AND DOWN NIGHT
Is it time to start wondering if Daniel Steres deserves a regular starting role with the LA Galaxy?
Starting alongside Jelle Van Damme, Steres showed his quality as the defensive duo silenced Rapids offensive tandem of Shkelzen Gashi and Kevin Doyle. Throughout the match, the 25-year-old showcased his ability on the ground and in the air as he ended the match with seven clearances and four interceptions. Steres was also a also frequent target on set plays.
Steres’ lone hiccup came at the least opportune time for the Galaxy, as his failed clearance resulted in Marco Pappa’s game-winner deep into stoppage time.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
