In reality, the Los Angeles Galaxy clinched a playoff spot weeks ago. Leading the league for most of the year and well ahead of the teams actually battling it out for the final playoff spot, there hasn't been any question that the Galaxy would be back in the postseason this year. On Friday night they made it official though, defeating the Colorado Rapids 1-0 at the Home Depot Center thanks to a Landon Donovan goal. More importantly, the Galaxy now sit seven points clear of second place Seattle in the race for the Supporters Shield.
LA Galaxy Vs. Colorado Rapids: Galaxy Clinch Playoff Spot With 1-0 Win
At no point in the first half did it look like the Rapids might win. Gary Smith inexplicably decided to leave Sanna Nyassi and Omar Cummings on the bench meaning the visitors were without a threat up top. With little to worry about from the Colorado forwards, the Galaxy defense and midfield pressured the Rapids at every opportunity and forced giveaways left and right. Paolo Cardozo got a surprise start ahead of Robbie Keane, who was on the bench after playing two Euro 2012 qualifiers for Ireland this week, and was a threat from the opening whistle. Twice he forced fantastic saves from Matt Pickens.
Pickens was up to each Galaxy challenge, making several fine saves before the Galaxy got past him in the 36th minute. David Beckham was quick to move the ball on the right side and got it right back before playing the ball into space for Chad Barrett to run onto. Barrett got to the ball and quickly played to Sean Franklin in the center, 20 yards from goal. The quick passing continued with Franklin playing it to a streaking Donovan on the left, who hit the ball hard and low, into the side netting for the winning goal.
Both Nyassi and Cummings came on, evening out the match some. LA got a little sloppy after the break too, not passing the ball around nearly as crisply, but they were still the better side. Only once all match was Donovan Ricketts tested. The LA keeper, who returned from a two and half month injury layoff on Friday, did well to get down on a shot, but spilled the rebound. Wells Thompson was there to put the rebound home, but the flag was up and replays showed him to have been correctly ruled offside.
In the end, LA will take their three points and playoff berth. Colorado has to wonder if they would have had a chance with Nyassi and Cummings in from the start, but odd lineup choices are the norm with Smith. Now the Galaxy will just have to hope that Seattle drops points on Saturday against Salt Lake before they get ready for a vital CONCACAF Champions League match against Morelia on Tuesday.
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