The LA Galaxy bounced back from midweek disappointment in the U.S. Open Cup with a 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids in MLS regular season play at the StubHub Center on Saturday.
The Rapids, meanwhile, remain within touching distance of Supporters' Shield leaders FC Dallas, just three points back after Dallas also notched a draw on Saturday.
The game, a battle between two presumed Western Conference playoff teams, was scoreless through the first half and largely dominated by defensive play, although each side found a breakthrough in the second half.
The Galaxy had all of the early looks, as Gyasi Zardes forced a terrific save from Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard 11 minutes in, and in the 26th minute Jelle Van Damme's header from a free kick slammed off the far post. Giovani Dos Santos then forced a save from Howard in first-half stoppage time.
The Rapids took the lead in the 51st minute, as a patient build-up led to Marlon Hairston's pass toShkelzen Gashi near the top of the 18-yard box. The Albanian international sent a one-time rocket that beat LA goalkeeper Brian Rowe for the 1-0 lead.
But the hosts came back to tie up the game 11 minutes later, as Steven Gerrard's corner kick was headed on target by Daniel Steres.
A scary moment came in the final 10 minutes, as Rowe took an apparent knock to the head with Nigel de Jong and Kevin Doyle converging on him, and needed several minutes of medical attention before he was substituted out of the game for Dan Kennedy.
LA Galaxy Postgame Notes
LA Galaxy 1, Colorado Rapids 1
Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016
2016 MLS Regular Season
StubHub Center – Carson, California
Scoring Summary:
COL – Shkelzen Gashi (Assisted by Marlon Hairston) 51’
LA – Daniel Steres (Assisted by Steven Gerrard) 62’
Misconduct Summary:
LA – Nigel de Jong (caution) 86’
COL – Michael Azira (caution) 87’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Brian Rowe (Dan Kennedy 85’); A.J. DeLaGarza, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Ashley Cole; Steven Gerrard ©, Nigel de Jong; Sebastian Lletget (Mike Magee 73’), Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng (Alan Gordon 89’); Gyasi Zardes
Substitutions not used: Leonardo, Dave Romney, Baggio Husidic, Raul Mendiola
Head Coach: Bruce Arena
SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; CORNERS: 10; OFFSIDES: 0; SAVES: 1
Colorado Rapids: Tim Howard; Bobby Burling, Axel Sjoberg, Marc Burch, Eric Miller; Marlon Hairston, Dominique Badji (Sebastien Le Toux 45’), Sam Cronin ©, Dillon Powers, Shkelzen Gashi (Michael Azira 73’); Kevin Doyle.
Substitutions not used: Mekeil Williams, Jared Watts, Dennis Castillo, Zac MacMath, Marco Pappa.
Head Coach: Pablo Mastroeni
SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; CORNERS: 1; OFFSIDES: 0; SAVES: 5
Referee: Juan Guzman
Referee’s Assistants: Frank Anderson and Kyle Atkins
4th Official: Ricardo Salazar
Attendance: 25,667
