Alan Gordon was a presence for the Galaxy up top against Colorado on Sunday.
By Ivan Yeo
Playing against the Colorado Rapids this season, one has to take what is given to you.
The Los Angeles Galaxy did just that in its Western Conference playoff opener against the Rapids on Sunday. The Galaxy got its lone goal from Giovani Dos Santos, but mostly relied on grit throughout the afternoon at StubHub Center on their way to the 1-0 win.
The margin of victory, while not the ideal situation is still a welcome outcome for the galaxy. Nevertheless, LA now prepares for the tough task of having to defend that one-goal lead next Sunday in Colorado, where the combination of altitude, weather and what is sure to be a raucous atmosphere at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will present quite the challenge for the Galaxy.
“Everyone knows what the score is, you hide that fact,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. “Typically, you never play the same game there as you do at home because of the environmental conditions, so it will be somewhat different.”
After 54 agonizing minutes, the Galaxy were finally able to solve the stingy Rapids defense with a little luck. Emmanuel Boaetang sent a cross into the six-yard box towards Alan Gordon, Eric Miller beat Gordon to the cross and headed away, but the ball fell to Jelle Van Damme, who fired a long volley towards goal but was deflected. Van Damme however chased down the ball, nutmegged Michael Azira, then played a short ball to Dos Santos, whose header bounced on the field, continued towards goal, Colorado’s Alex Sjoberg headed the ball, but it continued forward and eventually crossed the goal line into the far post net.
“I think it was a great play by Jelle,” Dos Santos said. “He crossed it into me and I tried to put my head and it went in, so I’m happy for that.”
The Galaxy were actually the better team for most of the first half, and thought they had actually pushed a goal across, only to have it controversially waived off. It happened in the 12th minute, when Robbie Rogers passed a ball to Donovan, who sent a ball into the penalty area where Alan Gordon got behind the Rapids defense and headed the ball in near post. During the play however, Rogers was fouled by Dominique Badji, and referee Drew Fischer waived off the Gordon goal, claiming he had blown the whistle before the Donovan ball was sent in, even as the Galaxy pleaded for continuation.
The next two Galaxy chances where snuffed out by Tim Howard. The first chance came in the 22nd minute, as Sebastian Lletget got a touch on a Daniel Steres long ball, which left him with room to sprint for goal. Lletget took a few touches into the penalty area and fired the shot, but Howard got his foot on the ball before eventually scooping up the ball. Howard was at it again moments later, as Boaetang crossed a ball into the six, where Alan Gordon was charging in unmarked. Howard though dived and got his left hand on the ball and immediately covered it up.
“I think everyone today was patient and we knew that Tim is a great keeper,” Dos Santos said. “We knew that in every play, we have a lot of players that could make a difference and today, everyone had a good game.”
The second leg of the series will be next Sunday at noon Denver time, and at least one member of the Rapids is confident that the friendly confines of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will pay dividends for them next Sunday.
“We’re a force at home,” Howard said. “We’re going to need to do it again. There’s no Monday morning next week, so we have to do the business on Sunday.”
