La Galaxy La vs Colorado Rapids Col Picks and Predictions July 17th 2024

Galaxy hoping to move on from poor outing, take on Rapids

The LA Galaxy will try to put a subpar performance behind them when they face the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night in Carson, Calif. Following a disappointing 2-0 loss to FC Dallas, the Galaxy are keen to bounce back and solidify their position in the Western Conference.

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Recent Performance Analysis

The Galaxy managed just one shot on target out of 11 attempts in their 2-0 loss to FC Dallas on Saturday. This lackluster performance marked their second loss in three matches, raising concerns for coach Greg Vanney.

LA Galaxy’s Standing: Despite holding a 12-5-7 record with 43 points, placing them third in the Western Conference, coach Greg Vanney was alarmed by the team’s passive offensive display against Dallas.

Coach Vanney’s Concerns: “It’s like we were going to win the game putting together 10,000 passes and going nowhere,” Vanney remarked. “We were down 2-0 because we deserved to be down 2-0. … It just comes down to the overall aggressiveness of our group.”

Key Players and Injuries

The Galaxy will be without their leading scorer, Dejan Joveljic (12 goals, five assists), for the second straight match due to a hamstring injury. However, the attack is still well-equipped with Gabriel Pec (nine goals, eight assists), Joseph Paintsil (six goals, five assists), and Riqui Puig (six goals, 10 assists).

Focus on Team Dynamics: “For us, it’s just getting back to focusing on ourselves and what has made us successful,” Vanney said. “Making sure we’re defending close together, we’re taking away the space in between our lines.”

Offensive and Defensive Strategies

The Galaxy are tied for sixth in the league with 44 goals. Their recent shutout against FC Dallas was the first time they failed to score since a scoreless draw with Charlotte FC on May 18. Reestablishing their offensive rhythm while tightening up defensively will be key.

Colorado Rapids’ Current Form

Colorado (11-8-5, 38 points) is fourth in the Western Conference and has been in strong form, with a 5-1-1 record over their last seven matches. The Rapids, who are tied for fourth in MLS with 45 goals, recently played to a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls.

Coach Armas’ Perspective: Colorado coach Chris Armas was content with securing a point from the match. “Sometimes (draws) feel like a win, sometimes they feel like a loss,” Armas commented. “This one feels like a point won in the end against a good team and being down a goal. They’re a stingy defensive team and they put teams in difficult games.”

Head-to-Head and Home Advantage

The Galaxy, unbeaten at their home stadium with a 7-1-3 record, aim to defend their turf against the Rapids. Their only home loss came on July 4 against Los Angeles FC in the El Trafico match at the Rose Bowl. Conversely, Colorado has struggled on the road with a 4-6-2 record.

Historical Matchup: Colorado’s attack, led by Rafael Navarro (11 goals, four assists), Djordje Mihailovic (10 goals, nine assists), and Cole Bassett (seven goals, four assists), has been formidable. The Rapids hold a 7-1-3 edge against the Galaxy since 2018.

Conclusion

The upcoming match between the LA Galaxy and the Colorado Rapids promises to be an intriguing encounter, with both teams eager to assert their dominance. The Galaxy will need to refine their strategy and overcome recent setbacks to secure a victory. Meanwhile, the Rapids aim to continue their strong form and capitalize on the Galaxy’s vulnerabilities.

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