CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Things We Learned from the Galaxy’s 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.
GIOVANI DOS SANTOS GRABS THE WINNER
Giovani dos Santos has been a difference maker for the LA Galaxy time and time again this season, and with the Galaxy needing a goal against the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, the Mexican international came through in the clutch
Dos Santos scored the game’s decisive goal in the 55th minute to give the Galaxy a 1-0 victory and a one-goal aggregate advantage in the series’ second leg. The goal came from a brilliant piece of play by Jelle Van Damme who found Dos Santos for the header that deflected off a Rapids defender and into the back of the net. Dos Santos now has a goal and two assists in three career MLS Cup Playoffs matches.
Dos Santos and the Galaxy won’t be able to rest on their laurels, however, with Los Angeles facing a decisive second leg in Colorado next weekend. With Colorado needing a goal to get back in the series, Dos Santos will need to continue to capitalize on his opportunities to lead the Galaxy into the Conference Finals.
JELLE VAN DAMME IS STEPPING UP IN THE PLAYOFFS
Jelle Van Damme played a near-perfect match in the LA Galaxy’s 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday afternoon.
Van Damme anchored a resolute Galaxy backline that has conceded just once in the last four games. The Belgian center back was a force of nature on Sunday as he repeatedly made timely tackles and recoveries that prevented the Rapids from causing Brian Rowe much trouble.
The 33-year-old also made his impact felt in the attack when he pulled off an impressive nutmeg of Michael Azira to set up Giovani dos Santos’ game-winning goal.
ALL TO PLAY FOR IN THE SECOND LEG
The LA Galaxy took the lead in their series with the Colorado Rapids, but the job is far from finished for Los Angeles.
Sunday’s match at StubHub Center was a humid affair after a light Southern California rain, but the conditions will be considerably different next weekend as the cold temperatures and altitude of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will play a significant role. Weather won’t be the only factor that the Galaxy must overcome, as the Rapids went undefeated in Commerce City in 2016 with an 11-0-6 record at home.
If the Galaxy are to advance, they’ll need to remain organized and put in another performance like the one we saw in the first leg.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atwww.LAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
