LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 12
LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids
Dignity Heath Sports Park – Carson
September 19 – 10:30 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: Altitude, Spectrum SportsNet

The LA Galaxy look to extend their unbeaten streak to seven when the host a Colorado Rapids side that has endured a rollercoaster few days.

The Galaxy (4W-3L-3D) had a four-match winning streak come to an end, but extended their unbeaten run to six following a 0-0 Cali Clasico draw against the San Jose Earthquakes, while the Rapids (3W-4L-4D) followed a 5-0 road win over RSL with a 4-1 defeat to FC Dallas Wednesday night.

The Galaxy have won 24 of the 38 all-time meetings at home, outscoring Colorado by more than 2-1.

LA Galaxy

After scoring three goals in each of their previous three wins, the Galaxy offense stalled against an Earthquakes squad that conceded seven in a stunning midweek loss to the Seattle Sounders. Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez made his first appearance since suffering a calf injury in the MLS is Back Tournament, playing the final 33 minutes.

“We as a team don't give him the possibility for a score, but I think it's good to have him in [our] 18 players and getting better, I think, every day,” Galaxy coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto said. “He will get better and better, and I hope to have him the best version very soon.”

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- QUESTIONABLE: Danilo Acosta (M) - ACL injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None

Colorado Rapids

It was a historic and emotional win, one that handed their rivals their worst home defeat and crowned the Rapids Rocky Mountain Cup champions for the first time since 2015. But Colorado couldn't carry that momentum over, suffering a similarly lopsided defeat to FC Dallas Wednesday night.

It was a positive start and the Rapids probably did enough to be rewarded with the game's first goal. Instead, it was Santiago Mosquera who opened the scoring four minutes from halftime, the first of his three goals.

On Friday came word the Rapids were trading veteran Kei Kamara to Minnesota United, reported for TAM.

“I think for a long time we’ve considered how we want to further incorporate youth into the group and certainly going forward we like Andre Shinyashiki a lot. We like Diego Rubio a lot and it just became evident that it was the right time and it’s the right time for both parties," Robin Fraser said. "I wish Kei well and I think he’ll do really well at Minnesota.

"It’s certainly a longer term view in looking at getting Andre Shinyashiki and Diego more time in the competition and more specifically between the two of them. In terms of acquiring a player [in the transfer window which closes Oct. 29], at the end of the day we want to make sure it’s the right player and if we don’t feel as if we have the exact ideal player in the next month, then it’ll be out in the future.”

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Kortne Ford (D) - knee injury
- OUT: Diego Rubio (F) - undisclosed injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Kellyn Acosta (M)
International duty: None