LA Galaxy vs. Rapids Player Ratings

Goals! A home win! Gyasi Zardes scoring!

Thank you Colorado Rapids for giving the home side something to smile about. Finally.

This was a team that the Galaxy should beat. Even with the Dos Santos brothers missing due to international duty, the Galaxy starting XI had more quality, and it showed in the flow of the game with the players from top to bottom putting together one of the most all around successful games of the season.

It shows in the stats - several players had key passes opposed to Romain Alessandrini dragging the team around like a pack mule. 6 out of LA's 10 shots were on target. Jermaine Jones stayed in the role he was put in. Dave Romney had an excellent night. And heck, Gyasi Zardes earned a penalty, had an assist, and scored.

Yes, Colorado was terrible. But a few weeks ago the Galaxy would have looked aimless against this Rapids side, and today they hung 3 on a side they should beat. (They should have hung 5 on them, but let's not get greedy).

Player Ratings:

Excellent

• Romain Alessandrini - welcome back and congratulations to the new proud dad. He picked up right where he left off with his penalty kick goal and his stellar assist to Gyasi Zardes. He was also once again the team's attacking spark. It was his lovely ball out to Boateng that started the series that led to the PK.
• Gyasi Zardes - it's been a loooooooong time since he's been in this category. Yes, he muffed two counters. But he also earned a PK, had an assist and scored a goal. That puts him in excellent.
• Dave Romney - Missed very few passes and was a defensive machine. Didn't get pulled apart from Steres.

Good

• Jon Kempin - had a very good fingertip save, and dealt with corners well. No major errors.
• Bradley Diallo - most composed game we've seen from him in ages. Very few missed passes and locked down his side. Could have been involved in the attack more, but with three goals scored, didn't really see a need to push up.
• Daniel Steres - no major brainfarts. Mission accomplished!
• Ashley Cole - I don't remember anything he did. While not great in the attack, definitely "job done" for a defender.
• Jermaine Jones - who is this guy and what did Sigi tell him? Two key passes and disciplined (!) in midfield. His passing game was slightly rusty but that's to be expected.
• Joao Pedro - No major errors. Also had some passing miscues with Jones, but nothing ended up generating anything serious for the Rapids.
• Emmanuel Boateng - scored a great goal through the legs of the Rapids defense. Had a few miscues getting the right final ball into the box which is why he isn't in the excellent category, but he was bright in the attack. Only 6 missed passes.
• Bradford Jamieson IV - hasn't looked like a headless chicken the past two games. Not sure what he's changed in his training regime, but whatever it is, keep doing it. Much more physicality and involvement in the game. Had a few bad touches, but was a pest down the right hand side. Still needs to work on his movement, he's got some duplicative runs with his counterparts upfront.

Not going to rate the subs because the game was pretty much over at that point.

I'm so excited that I didn't have to use the "poor" category I don't know what to do with myself.

Not sure what Sigi is going to do with the return of the Dos Santos brothers against Seattle. Some interesting choices around the bend!