Colorado Rapids Playoff Preview: First Leg at LA Galaxy

CARSON, Calif. – The MLS Cup Playoffs are here. Four losses to end the regular season or not, 2024 has been a success for the Colorado Rapids. Tonight they play at LA Galaxy in the first leg of the Round of 16 Best-of-Three series. They’re playing with house money. Let’s take a look at this game.

When: Saturday, October 25 @ 9:00 p.m. MST

Where: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California

TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Colorado injuries and recent form:

The main variables going into this game are the health of the Rapids stars and how the team ended the season. Cole Bassett missed a month with a quad injury. Manager Chris Armas described him as “pain free for a few weeks,” as of Wednesday. Zack Steffen had an injury during USMNT camp. Kévin Cabral made his first appearance on Decision Day since an elbow injury at LA Galaxy back in July. All three players were left off the injury report and are available.

The big loss however is Djordje Mihailović who is out with a sprained ankle. He did not participate in team training on Wednesday. The club is hopeful he’ll be available on some level for Leg Two on Friday at home. This is a massive blow to the Rapids chances. Mihailović is their best offensive player and without him, the press and attack won’t be as good. Expect Connor Ronan or Oli Larraz to take set pieces.

Rapids lineup prediction:

With that information, here’s our predicted starting lineup:

Steffen / Rosenberry (C), Abubakar, Maxsø, Cannon / Larraz, Bassett / Harris, Fernandez, Lewis / Navarro

Reggie Cannon has been lively at full back since joining the club and is in better form than Sam Vines right now. If Bassett is really good to go, you have to start him and let him run till the wheels come off. Colorado needs to cover ground and get control in the midfield. Bassett’s more valuable in the double pivot than at the No. 10 with Djordje out.

Flip a coin between Larraz and Ronan, but Ronan did give up the PK last game. With Bassett in a deeper role, Omir Fernandez is the most natural 10 to play behind Rafael Navarro. Cabral’s probably not 60 minutes fit yet. You’d want him for the second half when the game gets stretched regardless of the game state.

The rest of the lineup is self explanatory.

LA Galaxy talking points:

The Gs aren’t in great form coming into this series either. They had another nightmare Decision Day against Houston Dynamo, conceding a stoppage time goal to drop the top seed to rivals LAFC. The Killer Ps of Gabriel Pec and Riqui Puig are two of the best transition players in MLS.

This is still a team that’s built to win 3-2. Just like Colorado, they have concentration lapses that lead to goals. Crosses and set pieces can give them problems. They are expected to win this series. Colorado is playing with house money.

Kévin Cabral or rather CaBRAWL:

Many of the storylines will be around former Galaxy DP Kévin Cabral who’s found new life in his second year with Colorado. He scored in his first game back there in 2023. He scored at DHSP in July on the play that led to the elbow injury.

Cabral seems at peace with his past at the Galaxy. He’s compartmentalized his failures from his time there. LA isn’t his Roman Empire. Tonight’s game is a game against a really good team that just so happens to be his former team.

Cabral threatening to run in behind could be critical in this series, especially with Mihailović and Bassett potentially limited.

Dealing with the Galaxy counter attack:

This and Djordje’s ankle healing are what decide the series. Colorado hasn’t been as stout defensively during this losing streak. The “box” of the center backs and the double pivot have been weak at times. They’ve had concentration and compounding small mistakes lead to goals conceded, a theme that’s carried over from the Robin Fraser Era to some. Defending in transition without Moïse Bombito has been a theme.

Colorado needs to have a stout rest defense and recover well. Limit transition opportunities. This team can’t have a 10 minute sequence like they did back on October 2. For this game, they probably do this by giving the Galaxy a taste of their own medicine. Adopt a more defensive posture. Put numbers behind the ball. Concede possession, press, and play for counter attacks and set pieces.

Prediction: Galaxy win 2-1. It will be a close game and Colorado’s best performance of the year against the opponent. No Mihailović and Puig being a Best XI midfielder will be the difference.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.