Carson, California– The Colorado Rapids (11-3-12, 7th West) will take an international break after they travel to LA to take on the LA Galaxy (8-9-10, 8th West). Despite the two-week break after this match, the international window has already started, and both teams will be without some players. This is a showdown for 7th and 8th, and it couldn’t be more important for the Rapids in staying above the playoff line. LA is in desperation mode for points and hasn’t had the season they wanted, even with that playoff spot. Colorado hasn’t been great on the road. This could be a good time to change that. Let’s take a look at the matchup.
When: Saturday, September 26th @ 8:30 p.m. MST
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
TV/Streaming: Apple TV
Three Points Dropped in Draw
Matt Wells said the 3-3 draw against Seattle Sounders felt like three points dropped, rather than the two they dropped by losing a two-goal lead. It will always be disappointing to concede twice in the last 12 minutes. It erased what was the best Rapids offensive production since early April.
Morgan Whittaker had himself a day against Seattle, opening his account in Colorado by scoring two goals. Paxten Aaronson added two assists on both of those goals. The two Designated Players did what they are paid to do. Donavan Philip got his first goal in his young MLS career. It was great from all angles on the offensive side of the ball. The defense let down the attack against Seattle.
To be fair to the defense, Seattle’s three goals had a combined expected goals value of 0.13 xG, according to FutMob. On another day, Seattle doesn’t score at all, let alone on all three shots. The overall stats from the game are very similar to those of past disappointing 1-0 wins. Colorado had 1.68 xG. Seattle finished with 0.86 xG. Colorado were clinical against Seattle. Seattle were just very clinical.
The game shouldn’t ring any alarm bells. The attacking production was good to see. The defensive failures weren’t unacceptable. Wells didn’t like how far back his team fell once going up two goals late. That can be fixed. It was a good sign to see Whittaker take off in Colorado. It was good to see his connection with Aaronson. Colorado will look to build on that in Los Angeles.
Lineup Prediction:
Hansen / Cannon, Holding, Williams, Navarro / Ojediran, Atencio, Aaronson / Whittaker, Yapi, Harris
The international break ravaged the Rapids, especially in attack. Injuries don’t help, either. Colorado will be without five of their usual ten players who play meaningful minutes in the front five. Six if Philip is on international duty with Saint Lucia.
This leaves Colorado with no real option next to Aaronson in the middle. Colorado has no other three-man combination up top. That is concerning considering that Alex Harris is one of the three. The Rapids will have no depth up top and could be starting Atencio in a number 10 role, where he has shown he doesn’t do well. Wells will have a lot to think about on how to get the most out of the players he has. Wells was frustrated that this game was being played during an international break. It’s clear to see why.
Another Down Year for the Galaxy
LA may be in a playoff spot right now, but teams above and below have a game or games in hand. Portland, Seattle, San Diego, and Austin all have a chance to jump them in the standings. That makes this matchup even more important for LA. The Galaxy have somehow found a way into the mix, despite their form, especially lately.
LA has three wins in their last 13. They went winless in the six games before and after the World Cup break. They reinforced with Hirving Lozano in the summer transfer window. LA will be without Lozano against Colorado. They also brought in Sergi Roberto, who should be a veteran presence in the middle.
It will be a much different game than the 4-1 win Colorado had at home earlier in the year. Colorado will be without two players who accounted for three of those goals. Alexis Manyoma and Rafa Navarro are no longer with the team. Gabriel Pec is also not in LA, so his red card won’t be repeated in this matchup.
Colorado has conceded 11 goals and scored twice in their last three games at Dignity Health Sports Park. They pretty much knocked themselves out of a playoff spot last year with a 3-0 loss to the LA backups. The Rapids will have to play better away from home to avoid repeating last season.
Prediction: Colorado cannot overcome the lack of depth, especially in the attack. It becomes another away-day disaster. LA wins it 2-0.
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Matt Pollard 