LA Galaxy roll past struggling Colorado Rapids 5-0 in Round 1 opener in MLS Playoffs
Galaxy dominate from start to finish, advance to Western Conference semifinals
Javier Hernandez scores twice, Efrain Alvarez adds a goal and two assists
The LA Galaxy opened their MLS Cup playoff campaign with a resounding 5-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the first round on Monday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The Galaxy, who finished second in the Western Conference during the regular season, dominated the match from start to finish and fully deserved their victory.
Javier Hernandez opened the scoring for the Galaxy in the 10th minute, heading home a cross from Efrain Alvarez. Alvarez then doubled the lead in the 25th minute, finishing a pass from Chicharito.
Hernandez added his second goal of the night in the 38th minute, tapping in a rebound after Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough had saved a shot from Alvarez. The Galaxy took a 3-0 lead into halftime.
The Galaxy continued to control the match in the second half, and they added two more goals in the final 20 minutes. Julian Araujo made it 4-0 in the 70th minute, and Dejan Joveljic completed the scoring in the 89th minute.
The Galaxy's victory was their first in the playoffs since 2019. They will now advance to the Western Conference semifinals, where they will face either the Seattle Sounders or FC Dallas.
Galaxy dominance
The Galaxy were the dominant team throughout the match, controlling possession and creating the better chances. They outshot the Rapids 20-6 and had 61% of the possession.
The Galaxy's midfield, led by Alvarez and Victor Vazquez, was particularly impressive. They controlled the tempo of the game and created numerous chances for the Galaxy's attackers.
The Galaxy's defense was also solid, keeping the Rapids at bay for most of the match. The Rapids had just two shots on target, both of which were saved by Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.
Hernandez leads the way
Javier Hernandez was the star of the show for the Galaxy, scoring two goals and adding an assist. The Mexican striker was a constant threat to the Rapids' defense, and he was unlucky not to score more.
Alvarez was also excellent for the Galaxy, scoring a goal and adding two assists. The young midfielder was a constant danger to the Rapids' defense, and he created numerous chances for his teammates.
The Galaxy's other goalscorers, Araujo and Joveljic, also made important contributions. Araujo scored a beautiful goal from outside the box, and Joveljic's goal sealed the victory for the Galaxy.
Rapids struggle
The Rapids were never really in this game. They were outplayed by the Galaxy in every area of the pitch, and they were lucky to only lose by five goals.
The Rapids' defense was particularly poor, and they were repeatedly exposed by the Galaxy's attackers. The Rapids' midfield and attack also struggled to create any chances.
The Rapids' loss was their fourth in a row, and they have now failed to win in their last six matches. The Rapids will need to improve significantly if they want to make a run in the playoffs.
Conclusion
The LA Galaxy rolled past the Colorado Rapids 5-0 in the first round of the MLS Playoffs on Monday night. The Galaxy were dominant from start to finish, and they fully deserved their victory. Javier Hernandez scored twice, and Efrain Alvarez added a goal and two assists.
The Galaxy will now advance to the Western Conference semifinals, where they will face either the Seattle Sounders or FC Dallas. The Rapids, on the other hand, will need to improve significantly if they want to make a run in the playoffs.
