The Colorado Rapids extended their unbeaten run to eleven games on Wednesday night on the road at the StubHub Center. They battled with the Los Angeles Galaxy and often looked the better side for most of the night. But when the final whistle blew, neither club found the back of the net as the match ended 0-0. For the Galaxy, they have not won three points in seven matches and need to find form quickly.
Match of half-chances ends scoreless
Emmanuel Boateng nearly found room in behind the Colorado Rapids defense in the fourth minute. Dennis Castillo though recovered tremendously to close him down and thwart any incoming danger. The Galaxy built play up nicely around the area in the 10th minute before Nigel De Jong’s effort went nowhere close to finding the target.
Kevin Doyle spotted Brian Rowe off his line in the 12th minute and tried to lob him from near the halfway line. However, the Irishman’s effort missed the outside of the left post by about two feet.
Los Angeles started to find another gear 15 minutes into the match as Giovani dos Santos’ shot deflected out for a corner. Dos Santos then whipped in a corner which found the head of Jelle Van Damme. The Belgian defender looped a header towards Jack McBean but he was called for a foul on Zac MacMath.
On the 30 minute mark, the Galaxy gave away possession and the speedy Marlon Hairston sprinted into open space. He was one on one with Rowe and looked to score the opening goal. Rowe came off his line and made a sliding save to keep the score leveled at zero. Four minutes later, Rowe came up big again, this time, stopping a low shot from Doyle aimed at the near post.
Eric Miller laid a ball off towards Marco Pappa. The former Seattle Sounder tried to curl a shot towards the right post. But Rowe was on the spot once more and watched the ball fall into his hands.
In the 48th minute of the match, Jack McBean came up with the best opportunity thus far. He chested the ball down to himself before hitting a wicked shot that flew just over the crossbar. Four minutes later, Boateng played a ball over the top to dos Santos. The Mexican international had space on the right side of the pitch but could not corral the pass cleanly. As a result, dos Santos found De Jong who hit a first-time shot straight into MacMath’s hand.
Following a mistake by Van Damme, the Colorado Rapids went on a two-on-one counter. Hairston found space again down the left but Rowe made the stop again. Three minutes after the hour mark, Giovani dos Santos should have tested the Rapids goalkeeper. A ball was lifted to him on the left side of the box. Dos Santos did connect on the volley, but it was a poor attempt and he fired his shot into the top row of the StubHub Center.
With 12 minutes remaining, the Galaxy nearly broke the deadlock in a move initiated by Sebastian Lletget. Lletget ran from the left and beat Eric Miller to get to the byline. He then proceeded to find Boateng inside the area. The Ghanaian hit a decent left-footed effort that got blocked by Dennis Castillo.
Coming up
There is no rest for the wicked for Major League Soccer clubs as the schedule ramps up. The Galaxy go on the road Saturday night to face rivals San Jose Earthquakes. Colorado gets to go back home and welcome in the Portland Timbers on Monday night.