LA Galaxy Defeat Colorado Rapids, MLS Refs, To Get Needed Three Points

The LA Galaxy (3-3-0, 9 pts) held on the defeat the Colorado Rapids (3-4-0, 9 pts) 2-1 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. The game winner came from Landon Donovan just before halftime, but the game defining moment came just before stoppage time when the ref gave a questionable yellow to David Junior Lopes for a foul in the box. Saunders saved Omar Cumming's penalty attempt, saving the three points for the Galaxy.

Donovan's game winner in the 39' was created by Robbie Keane. Keane's run to the middle of the offensive half drew the defense in, which allowed him to find Donovan on a trailing run to his left. Donovan took the ball in the box and rolled it past Matt Pickens.

Of course, his game winner was put under extreme threat as the game entered stoppage time. The fourth referee had already decreed five minutes of stoppage, so the heat was certainly on. Lopes and were running with Andre Akpan, and Akpan went down in the box looking for the incoming cross. Their may have been some contact with , but it was Lopes who got the yellow card. It was all up to Josh Saunders, who guessed to his left and fortunately Cummings kicked it weakly to that side, saving the three points for the Galaxy.

It took three minutes for the penalty kick to even happen, as just about every player on the pitch for the Galaxy was livid about the call and wanted to let the ref know it. David Beckham stood in Cumming's way for a solid two minutes after the ball was placed on the spot. After Saunders saved it, Robbie Keane let out a tribal yell in celebration to rival some Trojan warriors.

The first attempt to best Pickens was an own goal in the 21' off a David Beckham free kick. His service dropped nicely to Mike Magee in the box, whose headed attempt bounced off a Colorado defender's head and into the back of the net. It was the game winner until the 63'.

On Colorado's only goal of the night, Omar Cummings made a great solo run against David Junior Lopes. There was some pull and tug, but Cummings righted himself enough to take the shot that put an immense amount of pressure on the Galaxy to hold on for the three points.