Storylines to Watch:
The Galaxy may be without Romain Alessandrini and Giovani dos Santos
The LA Galaxy incurred two potentially major set-backs as a result of Saturday’s 2-2 tie with Minnesota United FC. After scoring a superb seventh-minute goal, midfielder Romain Alessandrini was subbed off with an apparent knee injury in the 24th minute. Alessandrini has a goal or assist in six successive games and has netted six goals and four assists in his last eight outings, including in the 33rd minute against the Rapids on August 4. He would be a major loss for LA if his injury causes him to miss any games.
Giovani dos Santos was replaced at halftime with an unspecified leg injury. Both are unlikely for Tuesday night's StubHub Center clash.
“It obviously hurts [to lose them],” head coach Sigi Schmid said. “Romain's been playing really well, and he's an important part of our team. Gio has had little aches and pains all year. Those continue. I'll know more [about their situations] tomorrow.”
Player to Watch: Zlatan Ibrahimović
It would be amiss for us to select anyone other than international soccer icon, Zlatan Ibrahimović, for Tuesday's player to watch. The prolific goal scorer, who is best known for his technique, creativity, strength, and ability in the air became one of the biggest names to join MLS in recent years when he signed with the LA Galaxy on March 23, 2018.
The 36-year-old's nose for goal has seen him score 15 times this season, while adding seven assists – both team-leading numbers. In fact, he is currently tied with Bradley Wright-Phillips in second place for most MLS goals in 2018. What is more impressive? He has done all of this in just 18 appearances.
Zlatan's immediate contribution to the Galaxy caught no one by surprise as he is currently the third-most decorated active soccer player in the world, having won 32 trophies in his career with Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Sweden's national team. Over his 19-year-career, Zlatan has accumulated over 450 goals for club and country.
Zlatan was noticeably absent from the Galaxy's lineup when they came to Colorado on August 4. He was ineligible to play due to an MLS policy that required him to serve a one-game suspension for missing the 2018 MLS All-Star Game.
LA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids - Head-to-Head
The Rapids have met the LA Galaxy 73 times in the MLS regular season, resulting in a 26-37-10 record. The Galaxy are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 10-8-6 overall record. The Rapids, meanwhile, are coming off a thrilling 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes at home that sees their season record sit at 6-12-5 overall.
- Head-to-Head Overall: LA Galaxy 37 wins, 116 goals | Colorado Rapids 26 wins, 82 goals | 10 ties
- Head-to-Head in LA: LA Galaxy 24 wins, 71 goals | Colorado Rapids 7 wins, 32 goals | 5 ties
- Previous Meeting: Colorado Rapids 2, LA Galaxy 1 (August 4, 2018)
