One game in 100 words: It was difficult to observe if the Rapids could actually put up a fight against the LA Galaxy in normal circumstances because the fastest red card in MLS history doesn’t happen often. That penalty had the Rapids a man down for the entire game, and the red-hot Galaxy unsurprisingly walked all over them. Gyasi Zardes, Baggio Husidic and Landon Donovan were both the most notable players in this match, each bagging a brace. The USMNT star notched two penalty kicks, while the young forward Zardes continued to be a force around the net. Husidic unexpectedly scored two goals.
Goals
Galaxy: Donovan ’ and 47’, Husidic 30’ and 86’, Zardes 45’ +’ and 75’
Rapids: None
Three moments that mattered:
1’ — Rapids doomed at the start — Todd Dunivant hit a cross into the penalty area only about thirty seconds from the start, and the ball was loose around the five-yard box, prompting goalie Joe Nasco to throw down forward Alan Gordon for the red card. It wasn’t a very debatable call, as the foul was fairly obvious when the Colorado netminder pull Gordon to the ground. Landon Donovan the netted the first score of the game on a penalty kick.
30’ — Husidic scores first non-PK on man advantage — Some great combination play between players and Alan Gordon’s nicely-executed flick on the edge of the box afforded Husidic a wide lane to shoot. He didn’t disappoint, burying a low strike just inside the far post to record the second score and first non-PK of the contest. At this point, a -0 lead wasn’t that unpredictable considering the fact that the Galaxy enjoyed an advantage since minute No. .
47’ — Another foul, another goal for LA — Chris Klute fouled Gyasi Zardes in the box, drawing one more penalty kick, and Donovan easily finished the PK to his right. Zardes may have sold his fall to the turf, but regardless, the referee saw it as a infraction. The floodgates really opened up after this occurrence, with three more goals counting in the Galaxy’s favor before the competition’s conclusion.
Lineups
Galaxy: Rowe; Gargan, Gonzalez (Meyer 69’), Leonardo, Dunivant (Ishizaki 26’); Husidic, Sarvas, Juninho, Donovan; Gordon (Hoffman 75’), Zardes
Rapids: Nasco; Klute, Piermayr, Wynne, Burch; Mari, Powers (Sanchez 53’), LaBrocca (Hairston 52’), Serna (Irwin ’); Buddle, Brown
