The leads the 1-0 heading into the second and decisive match of the Western Conference semifinals Sunday. Here’s what you need to know.
When: Noon, Sunday
Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City
TV/Radio: ESPN/950 AM
Format: The scores of two matches (home and away) are combined, with the aggregate winner advancing. Los Angeles leads 1-0 entering Sunday. If the scoreline ends in a tie, the team that scored more road goals advances.
Extra time: If the Rapids lead 1-0 after 90 minutes Sunday, the aggregate scoreline will stand at 1-1. This is the only scenario in which two 15-minute halves of extra time will be played. The extra time is played to completion (no sudden death). Road goals are not a tiebreaker in extra time.
Penalty kicks: If the game remains tied after 30 minutes of extra time, the winner will be decided by a best-of-five penalty kick shootout. Sudden death penalty kicks follow, if necessary.
Colorado’s projected starting lineup:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Tim Howard |
| DF | Eric Miller |
| DF | Jared Watts |
| DF | Axel Sjoberg |
| DF | Marc Burch |
| MF | Micheal Azira |
| MF | Sam Cronin |
| MF | Dominique Badji |
| MF | Jermaine Jones |
| MF | Shkelzen Gashi |
| FW | Kevin Doyle |
Los Angeles’ projected starting lineup:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Brian Rowe |
| DF | Robbie Rogers |
| DF | A.J. DeLaGarza |
| DF | Jelle Van Damme |
| DF | Ashley Cole |
| MF | Sebastian Lletget |
| MF | Landon Donovan |
| MF | Baggio Husidic |
| MF | Emmanuel Boateng |
| FW | Robbie Keane |
| FW | Giovani dos Santos |
Colorado’s keys to victory: If the Rapids concede a goal in regulation Sunday, it would likely mean the end of their season, as they would need to score three goals to win by two and advance. The Rapids have scored three goals in a league game only three times this year. The Rapids have won by multiple goals only twice all season. The key for Colorado will be to stick to its game plan: be tough to break down on defense and shut out the Galaxy. Offensively, it is a team that looks to capitalize on set pieces or mistakes in the attacking third. Colorado likes to get its fullbacks up into the attack, which could leave it exposed down the wings. Its defensive midfielders will need to track back to snuff out counterattacks down the wing.
Los Angeles’ keys to victory: The Galaxy needs to score a goal to force Colorado to score three. L.A. has conceded three goals or more in a game only three times this season, and it has lost by multiple goals only once in league play (4-2 vs. Seattle on Sept. 25). The Galaxy relies on individual moments of brilliance from its high-priced stars, strikers Giovani dos Santos and Robbie Keane. It also likes to attack down the wings with the speedy Emmanuel Boateng or Sebastian Lletget. Defending set pieces, another strength, will also be vital to preserving its 1-0 lead.
The Fortress: Colorado will rely on its home form in order to advance. The Rapids set a record for lowest goals-against average (0.41) at home this season after allowing just seven goals in 17 matches. They became only the fifth team in MLS history to go unbeaten at home during an entire season. Here’s how the other four fared in the playoffs:
| Year | Team | W | L | T | Points | Playoff finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 34 | Conference semifinals | |
| 2010 | Real Salt Lake | 11 | 0 | 4 | 37 | Conference semifinals |
| 2011 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 12 | 0 | 5 | 41 | Won MLS Cup |
| 2012 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 39 | Lost MLS Cup | |
| 2016 | Colorado Rapids | 11 | 0 | 6 | 39 |
The coaches: The master faces the apprentice. Galaxy coach Bruce Arena is a three-time MLS coach of the year and has won five MLS Cups and three Supporters’ Shields. The former U.S. national team boss knows which buttons to press come playoff time. Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni finished his playing career with Los Angeles under Arena in 2013. He has shown tremendous growth in his third season guiding the Rapids and is a finalist for MLS coach of the year.
The defenders: Both teams are anchored by a center back who is a finalist for MLS defender of the year. For L.A., it’s the big Belgian Jelle Van Damme. The 6-foot-3 defender is a force on set pieces, but can also push forward, as was seen on the Galaxy’s goal in the opening in this series, set up by Van Damme. For the Rapids, the 6-foot-7 Swede Axel Sjoberg has been the steadiest defender on the best defense in MLS this year.
The goalkeepers: The Rapids’ Tim Howard and Galaxy’s Brian Rowe have been two of the best goalkeepers in MLS this season. Both will be in the spotlight should the game come down to penalty kicks. Howard, the longtime U.S. national team goalkeeper, is a finalist for MLS goalkeeper of the year despite only playing half a season.
The stars: Colorado’s best scoring threat is Albanian attacker Shkelzen Gashi, who led the team with nine goals this season. The two-time leading scorer in the Swiss first division is dangerous from distance and is the Rapids’ primary free kick taker. For L.A., Mexican international Giovani dos Santos, who was credited with a goal in the first leg, is having one of his best seasons as a professional. He led the Galaxy with 14 goals and 12 assists this year.
The X-factors: What will Colorado get from midfielder Jermaine Jones? The U.S. international played the second half in L.A. last Sunday, just his second appearance since July 4. He showed flashes, nearly scoring a long- distance strike, and breaking up play on defense. The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan started his fourth consecutive match and was vital in helping L.A. release pressure, maintain possession and link up play into the attack.
Recent playoff woes: With the Rapids’ loss last Sunday, Colorado has lost its last four playoff games dating back to its 2011 knockout round win over . The Rapids enter the match scoreless in their last 405 playoff minutes.
Galaxy’s playoff dominance: L.A. has outscored the Rapids 15-1 all-time in eight playoff meetings. The Rapids are 1-7 in eight playoff games against the Galaxy and 0-4 all-time in playoff series.
Previous meetings this year:
Rapids 1, Galaxy 0 March 12 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Rapids 0, Galaxy 0 June 22 at StubHub Center
Rapids 1, Galaxy 1 Aug. 13 at StubHub Center
Galaxy 1, Rapids 0 Oct. 30 at StubHub Center (playoffs)
What’s ahead: The winner advances to the Western Conference finals to face the winner of No. 1-seed F.C. Dallas vs. No. 4 .
