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Colorado Rapids Keep LA Galaxy Winless
The two Western Conference teams split the points on offer in Colorado.
Apr 26, 2009 1:14:24 AM
The Colorado Rapids were frustrated in their efforts to continue their
excellent season in 2009, while the Los Angeles Galaxy remain without a win
in a 1-1 draw that failed to bring satisfaction to either team.
The Western Conference rivals have met three times this year (once in Open Cup play) and the Galaxy have yet to taste victory against Colorado. However, as the home team, the Rapids couldn't be happy with merely a single point.
First half
The visitors looked to get up early in Colorado, putting forth an energetic effort. The Galaxy players appeared to know well that the altitude effect of Dick's Sporting Goods Park gives the Rapids players a decided advantage in the second half of matches. Smart strategy dictates, then, that an early goal is probably the likeliest route to win.
However, the Galaxy's offense continued to sputter - generating shots, but then failing on the finish. Perhaps surprised to find a more defensively organized Galaxy squad than they had previously faced, the Rapids were surprisingly tentative, putting only on shot on goal in the first half.
The most notable action of the opening period took place when Colorado's Kosuke Kimura suffered a collision with his own goalkeeper, Preston Burpo. Kimura was visibly woozy after the hit and a quick evaluation on the sidelines by the Rapids staff resulted in a substitution, as obviously the team wanted to more fully assess his head injury, rather than risk more serious damage.
Nick LaBrocca entered the game in place of the injured Kimura and barely had time to run for a few minutes before the half ended.
Second half
The Galaxy came out firing in the second half, as Landon Donovan had a shot deflected. The best chance for Los Angeles arrived in the 47th minute, when Donovan sent in a corner kick that Alan Gordon was able to reach. The forward cracked a header, but Colorado escaped when the ball pinged off the crossbar.
That attempt either woke Colorado, or perhaps the altitude was starting to affect the Galaxy, because a nice run of Colorado possession followed.
Omar Cummings had a fine shot on goal in the 55th stopped by the Galaxy's Donovan Ricketts, but Colorado would not be denied five minutes later.
This time, it was Cummings who played provider, picking out a streaking Colin Clarke, who with a quick touch move created a bit of space for himself, then struck a left-footed shot hard into the upper corner of the goal, past a diving Ricketts.
Colorado looked dominant and the Galaxy's situation looked even more dire when Todd Dunivant looked to have drawn a red card for a slide tackle. Referee Alex Prus pulled out the card, even as Galaxy players protested vehemently. Television replays showed that Dunivant did play the ball. On the field, Prus decided to check with the assistant referee, who apparently indicated that the tackle was clean. Dunivant was allowed to remain on the field and the Galaxy escaped further calamity.
Perhaps this stroke of fortune helped Los Angeles eventually find a bit of a second wind. The entrace of Edson Buddle also played a role, as the recovering forward entered the match for Dema Kovalenko. It was Buddle who put a hard shot on goal in the 82nd minute that Burpo was force to parry back into play. The Galaxy's Chris Klein corraled the ball and sent in a low cross to the front of goal, where Donovan was able to beat his marker and poke the ball home for the equalizing score.
Colorado had a late flurry of corner chances, but the Galaxy were able to deny them all and claim their road point. However, The Rapids remain near the top of the Western Conference, while the Galaxy are mired at the bottom.
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
The Western Conference rivals have met three times this year (once in Open Cup play) and the Galaxy have yet to taste victory against Colorado. However, as the home team, the Rapids couldn't be happy with merely a single point.
First half
The visitors looked to get up early in Colorado, putting forth an energetic effort. The Galaxy players appeared to know well that the altitude effect of Dick's Sporting Goods Park gives the Rapids players a decided advantage in the second half of matches. Smart strategy dictates, then, that an early goal is probably the likeliest route to win.
However, the Galaxy's offense continued to sputter - generating shots, but then failing on the finish. Perhaps surprised to find a more defensively organized Galaxy squad than they had previously faced, the Rapids were surprisingly tentative, putting only on shot on goal in the first half.
The most notable action of the opening period took place when Colorado's Kosuke Kimura suffered a collision with his own goalkeeper, Preston Burpo. Kimura was visibly woozy after the hit and a quick evaluation on the sidelines by the Rapids staff resulted in a substitution, as obviously the team wanted to more fully assess his head injury, rather than risk more serious damage.
Nick LaBrocca entered the game in place of the injured Kimura and barely had time to run for a few minutes before the half ended.
Second half
The Galaxy came out firing in the second half, as Landon Donovan had a shot deflected. The best chance for Los Angeles arrived in the 47th minute, when Donovan sent in a corner kick that Alan Gordon was able to reach. The forward cracked a header, but Colorado escaped when the ball pinged off the crossbar.
That attempt either woke Colorado, or perhaps the altitude was starting to affect the Galaxy, because a nice run of Colorado possession followed.
Omar Cummings had a fine shot on goal in the 55th stopped by the Galaxy's Donovan Ricketts, but Colorado would not be denied five minutes later.
This time, it was Cummings who played provider, picking out a streaking Colin Clarke, who with a quick touch move created a bit of space for himself, then struck a left-footed shot hard into the upper corner of the goal, past a diving Ricketts.
Colorado looked dominant and the Galaxy's situation looked even more dire when Todd Dunivant looked to have drawn a red card for a slide tackle. Referee Alex Prus pulled out the card, even as Galaxy players protested vehemently. Television replays showed that Dunivant did play the ball. On the field, Prus decided to check with the assistant referee, who apparently indicated that the tackle was clean. Dunivant was allowed to remain on the field and the Galaxy escaped further calamity.
Perhaps this stroke of fortune helped Los Angeles eventually find a bit of a second wind. The entrace of Edson Buddle also played a role, as the recovering forward entered the match for Dema Kovalenko. It was Buddle who put a hard shot on goal in the 82nd minute that Burpo was force to parry back into play. The Galaxy's Chris Klein corraled the ball and sent in a low cross to the front of goal, where Donovan was able to beat his marker and poke the ball home for the equalizing score.
Colorado had a late flurry of corner chances, but the Galaxy were able to deny them all and claim their road point. However, The Rapids remain near the top of the Western Conference, while the Galaxy are mired at the bottom.
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
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