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LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids match preview

By Mike Gray
Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

There should be no excuses for the Galaxy not to take all three points when they battle Pablo Mastreoni's Colorado Rapids Saturday night at the StubHub Center. (7:30 pm, Time Warner Cable SportsNet & Deportes)

Not that the Rapids are a terrible team. Actually, it would be borderline remiss to recycle the cliched warning about tomorrow resembling a trap game -- Colorado has competed in every match they're played, and only lost twice. Their defense is vulnerable to breakdowns, but they put numbers behind the ball and make it difficult on the opposition, only giving up a goal a game so far this season.

On the flip side, the Rapids attack has been terrible, at least on paper. While Colorado is near the top of the league in total shots and shots on goal, poor finishing has been the major culprit behind their inability to win games. However, the five man midfield Colorado utilized against the Red Bulls on Wednesday is tricky and includes a few new faces for LA fans, notably Juan Ramirez, a 21 year old speedy Argentine that can take off with the ball at his feet. And of course, there's Dillon Powers, the highly-rated creative distributor who can change a game on a dime.

So Colorado can't score, but they aren't giving up goals either. Winning won't be an easy task, but considering the Rapids are playing their third game in eight days after flying to New York mid-week then cross-country to LA, the Galaxy need a victory, especially with difficult road games vs. Real Salt Lake and an unstoppable FC Dallas on the horizon.

It looks like the Galaxy will go without Robbie Keane and Jose Villarreal again, but with two wins and a draw over the past three games, LA is more than capable of winning.

Beloved midfielder and fan favorite Marcelo Sarvas, who was traded to the Rapids in the off-season, just had knee surgery and will be unable to go, while center back Drew Moor is doubtful with a knee sprain.

In concluding, I'll just leave this here.

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