COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides his Three Points to the Galaxy’s 4-3 win over the Colorado Rapids.
LA GALAXY BATTLE BACK IN SECOND HALF…
Down 3-1 at the half, LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena declared on the TWC SportsNet halftime show that his team’s ability to fight back in the second half from an “embarrassing” start “would define” the team’s 2014 campaign. Well, it’s safe to say that Arena received his response after the Galaxy’s dramatic 4-3 win.
After some chastising from their head coach at the break, the Galaxy flew out of the gate as the rain came down and cut the Rapids lead to one in the 55th minute when Omar Gonzalez notched an unmarked header off a Landon Donovan cross. LA pulled level 13 minutes later when second half substitute Alan Gordon found himself unmarked in the penalty area after a well-timed pass by Gonzalez. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Gordon slotted the ball past Clint Irwin for the tying goal.
But the coup de grace for the Galaxy came in the 80th minute when they exploited a misstep by Rapids defender Marvell Wynne that allowed Robbie Keane to play Donovan through on goal. Unmarked, Donovan did the rest as he raced around the goalkeeper for the game-winner.
…BUT ABOUT THAT FIRST HALF
As stunning as the Galaxy’s second half comeback was, the team still has serious work to do after a poor opening 45 minutes.
From the get-go, the Galaxy’s inability to control the midfield allowed Colorado to heap pressure on the visitors. Poor passes out of the back created space for Colorado to exploit which they did in abundance with two goals in the opening 17 minutes of play. The biggest blemish occurred on the second goal when Leonardo mishandled a clearance for a Rapids corner. On the ensuing play, Leonardo was unable to mark Edson Buddle, who tallied for Colorado.
Colorado later notched a third off a Marc Burch free kick that put the Galaxy in a deep hole. Although LA earned the victory, the team must tighten up on set pieces as they head down the stretch run.
DID THIS GALAXY TEAM PROVE THAT THEY ARE A CONTENDER?
Nights like Wednesday’s rainy evening in Commerce City forge champions and after an impressive comeback victory in Colorado, the LA Galaxy showed that they might have what it takes to compete for another MLS Cup title.
Leading the way were the Galaxy’s three Designated Players who each notched a goal and an assist in the win. But it wasn’t just the Galaxy’s heavy hitters, but also the former “Bash Brother” Alan Gordon, who inspired the comeback as he opened up space for Keane to slide back into the midfield and create scoring opportunities.
While questions remain about this Galaxy’s team’s ability to contender for a title, the result in Colorado provides a solid launching point for the final two and a half months of the season.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
