CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s Stefan Ishizaki admitted he doesn’t particularly care for watching games. But the talented midfielder hasn’t found much to complain about lately.
Ishizaki has missed the last three games because of a toe injury, but the Galaxy have been impressive during his absence. In fact, they have a four-game winning streak entering Friday’s match against the Colorado Rapids at StubHub Center (7:30 p.m., NBC Sports).
“The last couple of games I haven’t been that nervous,” he said. “Normally I’m on the edge of the seat all the time, biting my nails. I’ve been relaxed.”
Ishizaki and his teammates were far from that the last time these teams met. The Rapids, held a 3-1 lead on Aug. 20 in Commerce City, Colo., and Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena berated his team at halftime. The Galaxy responded with three second-half goals for a stunning victory and they haven’t lost since. They’re 13-5-7 for 46 points (second in the West behind only Seattle Sounders FC) and lead the league in goals scored (48) and fewest allowed (27).
The Galaxy’s Marcelo Sarvas, now in his third season with Los Angeles, said he can’t remember a better stretch.
“I think everyone steps on the field with the right mentality,” he said. “The movements have been great and there is good space between players. Of course, the confidence is a big factor.
“The last four games you feel you can beat anybody. It’s mix of a lot of things, but for sure I think everyone is confident and steps on field with the right mentality. Everything is working very well right now.”
Added midfield partner Juninho, “I’ve been here five seasons, so I know a lot about our team. This past month we’ve been playing very well.
“That’s the key to clean sheets and making the playoffs.”
The Galaxy will be taking on a Rapids (8-12-6, 30 points) team that is the midst of a six-game losing streak. The Galaxy lead the all-time series 33-24-7, including 22-7-2 in Los Angeles.
The teams have split two previous meetings this season, with Colorado winning 1-0 on May 3 on a goal by Vicente Sanchez and L.A. winning the rematch in stunning fashion on second-half goals by Omar Gonzalez (55th minute), Alan Gordon (68th) and Landon Donovan (80th), who is six assists shy of Steve Ralston’s MLS career assist mark of 135.
The Galaxy will be missing two key players Friday. Brian Rowe or Brian Perk will start in goal for Jaime Penedo, who is with the Panamanian national team in the Copa Centroamericana, and Alan Gordon is expected to get the call for Robbie Keane, who is with Ireland’s national team in Euro 2014 qualifying.
Some players feel the recent win over Colorado could be a turning point, but head coach Bruce Arena wasn’t willing to go that far.
“Only time will tell,” he said. “Since then it’s been very good and we have a lot of games left in the season.”
Veteran left back Todd Dunivant agreed.
“It’s been a good run,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter what we’ve done. It’s all about winning the next game.”
