New Additions By Rapids Could Give LA Galaxy a Rocky Time

The LA Galaxy lost 2-0 to the Colorado Rapids their last meeting. Since the transfer window, the defending MLS Cup Champions lost two players, and the Rapids gained four.

On Saturday, the Los Angeles Galaxy will host the Colorado Rapids. Much has changed since the 2024 MLS Western Conference Playoffs.

The LA Galaxy are 3-7-16 but the Rapids are in familiar territory, within the West's top nine spots, vying for a playoff spot. Back in June, the Galaxy lost 2-0 at Colorado in their only loss of the month.

At the bottom of the MLS Western Conference standings, the LA Galaxy's MLS season is practically coming to an end. The Rapids are nestled between the Portland Timbers and Austin FC in the bottom half of the current playoff picture.

So who should the LA Galaxy be prepared for against Colorado?

Yes, the Rapids boast a balanced offensive attack. Not only do the Rapids have at four players with multiple goals on the season, but they have seven players with multiple assists.

Rafael Navarro

The Rapids' leading scorer is always a threat. In Colorado's recent match against Atlanta United, Navarro contributed to all three goals by scoring twice and notching an assist.

He has now had six goals in the Rapids' last eight games. The LA Galaxy should not expect Navarro's hot shooting streak to cool off on Saturday.

Darren Yapi

This Rapids forward has been a nice running mate with Navarro. On the season, Yapi has found the back of the net seven times and tallied a pair of assists.

The 20-year-old soccer player has recorded four goals in as many games, including both scores in the 2-1 win on the road against Minnesota United.

Yapi shown a lot of physicality with self control in the Rapids' last match. Against Atlanta United, he drew four fouls without committing one. This could be problematic for the LA Galaxy if Yapi does this again.

Cole Bassett

The 24-year-old midfielder has recorded five goal contributions, two direct scores and three assists. Bassett has experienced success against the Los Angeles Galaxy before.

Last season, during a Mid-July game between the Rapids and LA Galaxy, Bassett had one of two goals for Colorado in a losing effort.

Sort of a hometown hero, from Littleton, Colorado, Bassett was a part of the Rapids team last year that got embarrassed during the first round of the 2024 MLS Western Conference Playoffs. Look for him to extract some revenge on Saturday.

... and the for the Rapids' newcomers against the LA Galaxy.

The Colorado Rapids were among some of the more active teams in the MLS Western Conference this month. They agreed to terms with a veteran winger, Alexis Castillo Manyoma. He comes in with Rafael Santos and Lucas Harrington, both of which play defense.

Paxten Aaronson returned to MLS after a few seasons with German soccer club Eintracht Frankfurt. He turns 21 next week and has a bright future ahead of him. Hopefully for the LA Galaxy, the Medford, New Jersey native doesn't discover it this weekend at Dignity Health Sports Park.

The game will be played at Dignity Health Sports Park where the LA Galaxy have have won their only three games during the 2025 MLS regular season. Kick off between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Colorado Rapids takes place on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (PT) and 8:30 p.m (MST).

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