Colorado Rapids vs. Los Angeles Galaxy – Three Keys to the Game

Long story short, Los Angeles will be out for blood, Donovan-less they may be. Here's three things that can help the Rapids keep themselves on the unbeaten run and perhaps even beat LA at home, something they failed to do last year as they lost 1-0 in one of only two losses at home they would endure.

Keep the Attack Strong – The Cummings/Casey tandem up top was one of the big reasons why the Rapids managed to beat the Galaxy 3-1 in LA last season – both players notched a goal for themselves in that match – and it was a staggering lack of confidence in the attack that caused the Rapids to lose 1-0 in Commerce City to them last year. The offense still flows through the strikers in this offence despite what the numbers may be showing, so it's imperative to their success that they get the ball to the now healthy Cummings and in turn to Casey in good positions. It's been so long since we've seen the magic that those two can put together on the pitch that it's easy to forget that they are the best duo in MLS. They'll need to continue to be the best against that strong if occasionally inexperienced Los Angeles defence.

Injuries – I seriously say this every game now, don't I? …Well, it's still relevant. The Rapids have already had a season's worth of lost man-games, they can't afford all that many more from a team that's won games simply by being such a great unit together.