A pair of first half goals and another in the second saw the Colorado Rapids Soccer Club drop a 3-0 contest against LA Galaxy at StubHub Center on Saturday night.
Designated Player Romain Alessandrini would put the Galaxy ahead 18 minutes into the final MLS contest of the week. The French winger’s cool finish from the penalty spot was his second PK goal of the season against Colorado.
Five minutes later, midfielder Emmanuel Boateng would double LA’s lead with a powerful one-time strike back across the face of the goal and in to the back of the net from the left side of the box.
To make matters worse, forward Kevin Doyle would have to be replaced by Dillon Serna prior to the half-hour mark with a head injury.
Momentum seemed to begin switching sides after the first 45 minutes, with the Rapids pushing the lines higher and creating a pair of half-chances.
Despite the early efforts, Zardes would make it 3-0 with his first goal in over a year. The 26-year-old attacker was left all alone at the far post and would tap in Alessandrini’s initial attempt.
German winger Stefan Aigner played the final 18 minutes of the match, making his highly anticipated Rapids debut after signing with the club during the summer transfer window.
The Rapids’ best chances of the half would come a little too late. Forward Dominique Badji was able to put two attempts on target, but both were denied by Galaxy’s keeper Jon Kempin.
Colorado (6-16-4; 22 points) ends a four-game road trip next weekend against Houston Dynamo. Kickoff at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday, September 9 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MT (Altitude).
BOX SCORE
LA Galaxy 3-0 Colorado Rapids
StubHub Center; Carson, CA
Saturday, September 2, 2017
SCORING SUMMARY
LA: Romain Alessandrini (PK) 18’
LA: Emmanuel Boateng (Gyasi Zardes) 22’
LA: Gyasi Zardes (Romain Alessandrini) 56’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
N/A
LA Galaxy: Jon Kempin; Bradley Diallo, Daniel Steres, Dave Romney, Ashley Cole; Bradford Jamieson (Jack McBean 72’), João Pedro, Jermaine Jones, Romain Alessandrini (Raúl Mendiola 90’), Emmanuel Boateng (Jose Villarreal 84’); Gyasi Zardes.
Subs not used: Brian Rowe, Hugo Arellano, Rafael Garcia, Jack McInerney.
Colorado Rapids: Zac MacMath; Marlon Hairston, Kortne Ford, Axel Sjöberg, Eric Miller; Micheal Azira, Luis Gil (Stefan Aigner 72’); Mohammed Saeid, Kevin Doyle (Dillon Serna 27’), Shkëlzen Gashi (Joshua Gatt 58’); Dominique Badji.
Subs not used: John Berner, Mike da Fonte, Jared Watts, Nana Boateng.
ATTENDANCE: 17,683
TEAM RECORDS:
LA Galaxy: 7-14-5 (26 points)
Colorado Rapids: 6-16-4 (22 points)
