Played
April 21, 2012 9:00 PM EDT
Dick's Sporting Goods Park — Denver, Colorado
Referee: R. Hernández
Attendance: 19152
April 21, 2012 9:00 PM EDT
Dick's Sporting Goods Park — Denver, Colorado
Referee: R. Hernández
Attendance: 19152
Colorado Rapids 1-2 LA Galaxy: Josh Saunders saves late penalty to salvage road win
Josh Saunders blocked a controversial penalty call to help the Galaxy's two first half goals stand up for Los Angeles' first road win of the season.
By Zac Lee Rigg
Harry How
A strike by Landon Donovan and an own goal from Marvell Wynne gave the LA Galaxy a two-goal lead over the Colorado Rapids in the first half. Despite a sizzling Omar Cummings consolation and a stoppage time penalty kick, the Galaxy held on to earn their first away victory of 2012.
After 20 minutes David Beckham, making only his second appearance in Colorado since joining MLS in 2007, deceptively angled a free kick into the box, where an unmarked Mike Magee headed back across goal. Rapids defender Marvell Wynne tipped the ball past his own goalkeeper to open the scoring.
Donovan doubled the lead before the half. The Galaxy worked the ball forward from deep in their own half through Magee and Beckham. They found the U.S. international, who sped up the play and linked the ball to Robbie Keane. Donovan continued his run, and Keane returned the pass, leaving Donovan to slot past Matt Pickens with his left foot.
Cummings halved the deficit after an hour. He rode the challenge from David Junior Lopes and smashed a rising left-footed blast from outside the box.
The Jamaican had a chance to complete the comeback in stoppage time. The referee bizarrely whistled a penalty and booked Lopes when Andre Akpan threw himself helplessly at a hoofed ball. Los Angeles will feel justice prevailed when Josh Saunders firmly pushed Cummings' weak effort away to preserve the three points.
The win sees LA join the Rapids on nine points in the Western Conference.
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After 20 minutes David Beckham, making only his second appearance in Colorado since joining MLS in 2007, deceptively angled a free kick into the box, where an unmarked Mike Magee headed back across goal. Rapids defender Marvell Wynne tipped the ball past his own goalkeeper to open the scoring.
Donovan doubled the lead before the half. The Galaxy worked the ball forward from deep in their own half through Magee and Beckham. They found the U.S. international, who sped up the play and linked the ball to Robbie Keane. Donovan continued his run, and Keane returned the pass, leaving Donovan to slot past Matt Pickens with his left foot.
Cummings halved the deficit after an hour. He rode the challenge from David Junior Lopes and smashed a rising left-footed blast from outside the box.
The Jamaican had a chance to complete the comeback in stoppage time. The referee bizarrely whistled a penalty and booked Lopes when Andre Akpan threw himself helplessly at a hoofed ball. Los Angeles will feel justice prevailed when Josh Saunders firmly pushed Cummings' weak effort away to preserve the three points.
The win sees LA join the Rapids on nine points in the Western Conference.
Follow ZAC LEE RIGG on
or shoot him an email.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jack McInerney Striker Philadelphia Union |
8 | 0 |
|
Mike Magee Midfielder LA Galaxy |
6 | 1 |
|
Claudio Bieler Striker Sporting KC |
6 | 1 |
|
Marco Di Vaio Striker Montreal Impact |
6 | 0 |
|
Robert Earnshaw Striker Toronto FC |
5 | 2 |
