LA Galaxy look for 'rapid' turnaround against Colorado
By Scott Conrad
July has not been the typical month for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Despite only losing five games thus far, this is the first time the team has lost multiple games in the same month. With both LAFC and Real Salt Lake losing last Saturday, the three teams are gridlocked with 43 points.
They all sit atop the Western Conference Standings. The Colorado Rapids are five points behind them and are the LA Galaxy's next opponent. Wednesday night is a chance to accomplish a few things.
The importance of winning against the Colorado Rapids
For starters, a win for the Galaxy will keep pace in the standings with their in-city rival Real Salt Lake. The LA Galaxy have lost twice against LAFC and are 1-0-1 against RSL this season.
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic leads the team with 12 goals. Gabriel Pec has nine this season. Another pair of teammates, Joseph Paintsil and Ricard Puig have six scores a piece.
Neither of these players were able to find the back of the net last time on the field. Joveljic did not play against FC Dallas last weekend, either.
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While we know the LA Galaxy score with ease (44 on the season), so does Colorado. They have 45 goals this year. The duo of forward Rafael Navarro and midfielder Djordje Mihailovic have produced a combined 21 scores so far.
Mihailovic has also proven to be an effective passer. He has eight assists to complement his goal total. Fellow midfielder Cole Bassett has seven goals and four assists to support the Rapids season.
We saw the LA Galaxy struggle to continue their opponent's star power. Petar Musa of FC Dallas scored in the 2-0 blunder last weekend. Hopefully, LA Galaxy keeper John McCarthy and the defense are ready for a 'rapid' turnaround to get back to their winning ways.
This will be the first meeting this year between the Galaxy and the Rapids. They will play again on Wednesday, October 2nd.
Prediction: Los Angeles Galaxy 2, Colorado Rapids 1.