What happens when you're the Colorado Rapids, Conor Casey goes down with a season-ending injury and you don't start either Omar Cummings or Sanna Nyassi? You look terrible, of course. Exactly what Gary Smith was thinking when he decided to sit the two is unclear, but he is getting exactly what he deserves. Landon Donovan clinically put home a shot at the end of a fantastic move by the Los Angeles Galaxy to put the home side up 1-0 at the Home Depot Center, where they haven't lost a match from ahead all season.
LA Galaxy Vs. Colorado Rapids: Landon Donovan Gives LA Halftime Lead
The play that led to Donovan's goal started with David Beckham combining well on the right to clear space before playing the ball in behind the Rapids defense. Chad Barrett got to is and quickly played to Sean Franklin, who made a good run from deep. Franklin quickly moved the ball all the way to the left where Donovan was rushing in and buried his shot low and into the side netting.
It wasn't just the goal that the Galaxy had to put the Rapids on alert. Paolo Cardozo looked bright from the beginning, shooting from distance multiple times and once forcing a very good save from Matt Pickens. That, along with an anemic Rapids attack make for an opening 45 minutes that have been all Galaxy.
Smith still have Cummings and Nyassi on the bench so there is a spark waiting them, but who knows when Smith might go to them. Meanwhile, LA still has Robbie Keane available, who could come on and put this match out of reach.
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