LA Galaxy defeat Colorado Rapids 1-0 on Mike Magee penalty

The LA Galaxy defeated the Colorado Rapids 1-0 at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night in front of 19,936 fans, but despite the three points the contest had an element of frustration to it. The Galaxy had 21 attempts on goal, 9 of those on target, but it took a red card off the ball to get LA it's lone goal.

Marcelo Sarvas was the one unlucky enough to take an elbow to the face on a developing play. Colorado defender Drew Moor didn't even bother arguing the red, and started walking off the pitch as soon as the referee made his way over. It was likely a fluke from the jostling that will happen, but it resulted in a PK for the Galaxy and Colorado going down to ten men. Mike Magee took the PK which debuting goalkeeper Clint Irwin was almost able to stop.

Irwin was admirable in a losing effort, saving seven to keep the Galaxy's young forwards off the scoresheet. Villarreal had an attempt in the third minute, setting the pace for the two of them who would go on to have thirteen shots between them. Seven of those shots were on goal.

Villarreal came closest handling a long ball that pulled out Clint Irwin, but his chip didn't bounce fast enough and it was cleared off the line. McBean put four on frame, with a header his best attempt.

"I think they did well tonight," said Bruce Arena. "Each could have had a goal perhaps, but I think Colorado's goalkeeper played well; to his credit. If we're at fault for anything tonight, certainly keeping them around for ninety minutes was a flaw in our performance. I think we had chances to get the second and third goal."

Chances there were plenty of, but even after going down to ten men the Colorado Rapids left plenty of space in their defense. It was a back line that Robbie Keane would have eaten alive. As the fitness of Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez is a bit of an unsure thing going into the away match at Toronto, it's likely this group is going to have to find a way to turn all those chances into goals.