Storylines to Watch:
The Galaxy are riding a hot streak
The LA Galaxy (4-12-5) extended their current unbeaten streak to nine games with a 4-3 victory over Orlando City SC this past weekend. The game displayed a pattern familiar to the Galaxy - starting slow, falling behind, then roaring back to grab a result. The victory was the fourth straight game in which the Galaxy have come from behind to claim points, three of them victories.
What is feeding their recent success? Many will point to the acquisition of striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, who has already scored 15 goals since joining the club in late March, three of which came in the form of a second-half hat trick this past Sunday.
While these games have been exciting to consume, the Galaxy's head coach Sigi Schmid knows all too well how emotional acquiring these rollercoaster points can be.
“I told the team just now after the game, if we keep doing this, I'll be 90 by the time the season's over,” Schmid said. “It's great for the fans, great for TV and all that stuff, but it's really hard on me emotionally.”
Player to Watch: Ola Kamara
While Zlatan Ibrahimović and the dos Santos brothers bring the star power to Los Angeles, a lesser-known talent has been quietly racking up goals. LA's 28-year-old forward, Ola Kamara, has paid dividends since joining the Galaxy on January 20 after two full seasons with Columbus Crew SC. The versatile attacker has found the net nine times and contributed one assist in 19 games with the club. Three of those goals have come in his last five games.
In total, the Oslo, Norway native has scored 43 goals in 78 MLS appearances, and is the second leading scorer for the LA Galaxy in 2018 behind Zlatan Ibrahimović (15). Those goals put Kamara on the shortlist of MLS'ers including David Villa, Diego Valeri, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Sebastian Giovinco and Ignacio Piatti to finish top 10 in goals in both the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He is on pace to stay on that list in 2018, as he is currently tied for 10th for most goals in MLS.
Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy - Head-to-Head
The Rapids have met the LA Galaxy 72 times in the MLS regular season, resulting in a 25-37-10 record. The LA Galaxy are currently in third place (3rd) in the West with a 10-7-5 overall record. The Rapids, meanwhile, are coming off a 2-1 loss to D.C. United at Audi Field that sees their season record sit at 4-12-5 overall.
- Head-to-Head Overall: Colorado Rapids 25 wins, 80 goals | LA Galaxy 37 wins, 115 goals | 10 ties
- Head-to-Head in Colorado: Colorado Rapids 18 wins, 48 goals | LA Galaxy 13 wins, 44 goals | 5 ties
- Previous Meeting: LA Galaxy 3, Colorado Rapids 0 (September 2, 2017)
