The Big Picture
The Colorado Rapids topped the LA Galaxy on Saturday night after Gyasi Zardes and Diego Rubio netted one apiece at altitude for a 2-0 shutout performance. Striker Jonathan Lewis recorded both assists in the victory at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park.
Rubio found the first goal of the night in the 20th minute when defender Danny Wilson sent a long ball diagonally to Lewis, who beat his defender to get a square ball off to Rubio at the top of the box. The Chilean striker’s powerful shot into the side netting was his ninth goal of the season.
The Rapids’ momentum, amplified by a raucous home crowd, was nearly doubled when Zardes headed home a Bryan Acosta corner kick just five minutes later. His goal was quickly waived after VAR found defender Keegan Rosenberry offsides when the strike was taken.
Entering the half, the Galaxy outshot Colorado 12 to 4 shots, but the Rapids’ backline and ‘keeper William Yarbrough kept the West Coast side to just two on-frame. Yarbrough recorded his seventh clean sheet of the season on Saturday night, tied for third-most shutouts in MLS.
Zardes reclaimed his goal in the 75th minute when he and Lewis combined in the box for a back-heel assist and precise shot into the far post net. The goal marks the striker’s second goal in as many games.
“I'm really, really proud of the performance,” said head coach Robin Fraser postgame. “We have felt like we are starting to play well, starting to gain some real confidence, and starting to create quite a few chances. And we were certainly hoping for a game that we could kind of put it all together….I’m really proud of our group for the commitment, the engagement, the execution.”
Game Notes
- Saturday's matchup was midfielder Ralph Priso's first appearance and first start in Burgundy. The 19-year-old recorded 45 minutes before being subbed out for Collen Warner at the half.
- Jonathan Lewis completed his first two assists of the season in the win, added onto his three goals scored in 2022 thus far.
- After scoring against both Orlando City SC on Wednesday and LA Galaxy on Saturday, Gyasi Zardes has now scored in consecutive matches for the 23rd time in his MLS career.
- The Rapids earned their first three-point performance since May after going 0-3-3 in the past six games.
- Goalkeeper William Yarbrough surpassed Tim Howard for 4th-most shoutouts in Rapids history on Saturday night.
- Forward Diego Rubio leads the team with nine goals and has recorded a goal or an assist in his past four matches.
Up Next
After their clean sheet at altitude, the Rapids will embark on a two-game road stint, taking on Seattle Sounders FC and New York Red Bulls over the next two weeks. Colorado and Seattle will face off on July 23 at Lumen Field. Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM MT.
