Colorado Rapids and LA Galaxy will face off in MLS playoffs this week.
The Colorado Rapids face an uphill battle on Friday as they host the Los Angeles Galaxy in the second game of their MLS playoff series at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. After a crushing 5-0 defeat in the first match at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Rapids will need a major turnaround to keep their playoff hopes alive in this best-of-three series.
Having returned to the post=season for the first time since 2021, Colorado showed signs of rust in game one, enduring their heaviest defeat since August 2022. With five straight domestic losses, in which they have conceded at least three goals in four of those games, head coach Chris Armas will need a significant response from his squad.
Armas himself has struggled against the Galaxy, with three defeats in four meetings as a head coach, and his only win came with the New York Red Bulls back in 2019. Historically, the Rapids have been strong at home, winning 10 matches at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park during the regular season, but they ended the campaign with back-to-back losses on their own turf.
Additionally, they have a poor recent record against California-based teams, having lost their last four matches against such opponents. The Rapids’ last playoff victory came in 2016, coincidentally against the Galaxy, when they advanced after a 1-0 win and a successful penalty shootout.
For LA Galaxy, everything fell into place in the series opener, and they are now just one win away from progressing to the Western Conference semi-finals. Although the visitors have been dominant at home with eight consecutive MLS victories, their away form has been less consistent, with three losses in their last four road games.
However, they have shown offensive firepower throughout the season, leading the Western Conference in goals with 69 and scoring in 11 straight MLS games. Despite their away struggles, the Galaxy have a chance to win back-to-back playoff games for the first time since 2016, which also marks their last postseason encounter with the Rapids.
The Rapids will need to overcome significant odds to level the series, while the Galaxy will look to close out the series and advance. With Colorado desperate to stay in the competition and the Galaxy seeking to maintain their momentum, Friday’s match promises to be a high-stakes showdown. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids have some injury concerns heading into their second match against the LA Galaxy. Djordje Mihailovic remains sidelined due to a sprained ankle, while Michael Edwards continues to recover from a sore back.
Additionally, Cole Bassett is still out with a quad injury, leaving head coach Chris Armas with limited options in midfield. In the first match of this series, Zack Steffen returned as the starting goalkeeper, replacing Adam Beaudry, and former Galaxy winger Kevin Cabral was included in the lineup to cover for Mihailovic.
In terms of formation, the Rapids are expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 setup. Zack Steffen will take his place between the posts, supported by a back four consisting of Sam Vines at left-back, Lalas Abubakar and Andreas Maxso as the central defenders, and Keegan Rosenberry at left-back.
The midfield double pivot will likely include Oliver Larraz and Connor Ronan, providing stability in the centre of the park. Ahead of them, the attacking trio will feature Kevin Cabral on the right wing, Calvin Harris in the centre as an attacking midfielder, and Jonathan Lewis on the left wing, with Rafael Navarro leading the line as the lone striker.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Steffen; Vines, Abubakar, Maxso, Rosenberry; Larraz, Ronan; Cabral, Harris, Lewis; Navarro
LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy approach this match with a relatively clean bill of health, with Martin Caceres being their only injury concern. The experienced defender is unlikely to feature due to an ongoing Achilles issue, leaving head coach Greg Vanney with an otherwise full squad to choose from.
In the opening game of this series, the Galaxy showcased their attacking prowess with Dejan Joveljic scoring twice, Riqui Puig also netting a brace, and John Nelson contributing a goal, all of which propelled them to a comfortable victory.
For this match, the Galaxy are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation. John McCarthy will guard the goal, with a back four consisting of Miki Yamane at right-back, Carlos Emires Garces and Maya Yoshida as the central defenders, and John Nelson at left-back.
In midfield, Gaston Brugman and Edwin Cerrilloo will anchor the formation, with Riqui Puig having a free role. The front three will likely feature Gabriel Pec on the right wing, Dejan Joveljic as the central striker, and Joseph Paintsil on the left wing, aiming to secure a second consecutive win and advance to the next round of the playoffs.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): McCarthy; Yamane, Garces, Yoshida, Nelson; Brugman, Puig, Cerrillo; Pec, Joveljic, Paintsil
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- The Rapids have lost their last five MLS matches, conceding three or more goals in four of those games, which indicates defensive vulnerability heading into this critical playoff encounter.
- While the Galaxy have won eight consecutive home matches, their form on the road has been less convincing, losing three of their last four away games in the MLS.
- The Rapids have not won a playoff match since 2016, when they defeated the Galaxy 1-0 to level their series, eventually advancing on penalties (3-1). They are hoping to break that seven-year drought in this series.
- LA Galaxy were the top-scoring team in the Western Conference during the regular season, netting 69 goals. They have scored in 11 consecutive MLS matches, showing a consistent ability to find the back of the net.
- LA Galaxy have not won an away playoff game since 2019, when they narrowly defeated Minnesota United 2-1 at Allianz Field. They will aim to end this away playoff win drought at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Friday.
Player to Watch
Riqui Puig
Puig has been instrumental in LA Galaxy’s success this season, particularly shining in the playoffs. In the first game of this series against the Colorado Rapids, Puig delivered an impressive performance, scoring a brace that helped secure a commanding 5-0 victory for the Galaxy.
His vision, creativity, and ability to control the tempo make him a constant threat in midfield, and he’s developed a reputation for making decisive plays when it matters most. As LA Galaxy aim to advance to the next round, Puig’s influence will be key, especially given his knack for finding gaps in the opposition’s defence and setting up crucial scoring opportunities.
Prediction
Colorado Rapids 1-3 LA Galaxy
Given LA Galaxy’s dominant 5-0 win in the first game of this series and their firepower led by Riqui Puig and Dejan Joveljic, they have the upper hand heading into this match. However, the Colorado Rapids, playing at home for the first time in this series, will likely show a stronger performance at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Galaxy’s recent away form has been shaky, with losses in three of their last four away games. The Rapids may look to exploit this vulnerability, but their current form and defensive issues could make it difficult to contain a high-scoring Galaxy attack. Colorado might score to make it competitive, but Galaxy’s firepower should see them through.