Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy, 2016 MLS: Match Preview

So now we've seen the LA Galaxy in MLS action. Bruce Arena's men needed a bit of magic from Mike Magee to beat D.C United 4-1 at Stubhub Center last Sunday.

The Galaxy's win was in some ways not a surprising result. Time and time again teams suffer small hiccups early in the season, but the Galaxy did well to come back from a sloppy first half and win in resounding fashion.

The Galaxy obviously have the right blend of talent, personality, and experience, and with a visit to the Colorado Rapids next, they'll be hoping to sort out the game quicker.

In defense, Bruce Arena should be boosted by the return of Jelle Van Damme, who sat out Sunday's opener with a right ankle injury. However, Dan Kennedy is set to miss out after being replaced by Brian Rowe in last week's victory. Meanwhile, Leonardo remains out after surgery in his knee.

As for in the attack. Giovani Dos Santos is nursing a muscle strain and will be missing his first league game for the Galaxy since arriving back in early August. Alan Gordon, however, is expected to be back from a neck injury he picked up last week in training.

The Colorado Rapids, on the other hand, will only be missing Irish defender Sean St. Ledger, after being defeated 1-0 by the San Jose Earthquakes. Dominic Kinnear's side had to wait until early in the second half for the winner, and it took a Chris Wondolowski header to do so.

On paper, a Galaxy win makes sense, especially considering they are undefeated against the Rapids in their last four games. Still, the rest of the season will require plenty of chemistry, and this looks like the perfect setting to work together towards achieving that.

LAST MEETING

Colorado Rapids 1-3 LA Galaxy - August 1, 2015 - MLS

The Galaxy produced an impressive second half surge to come from a goal down and beat the Rapids 3-1. Lletget got things started in the 56th minute before Alan Gordon and Robbie Keane sealed the points on the road for the Galaxy.

LIKELY LINE-UPS

Galaxy (4-4-2): Rowe; Rogers, DeLaGarza, Van Damme, Cole; Zardes, De Jong, Gerrard, Lletget; Magee, Keane

Colorado Rapids (4-5-1): MacMath; Hairston, Watts, Sjoberg, Miller; Badji, Azira, Cronin, Gashi, Powers; Doyle