LA Galaxy bounce back with 3-2 win over Colorado Rapids on Retro Night
The victory puts the LA Galaxy on top of the Western Conference for the time being.
The LA Galaxy returned to winning ways following a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night at Dignity Health Sports Park. The victory combined with the draw in the LAFC-RSL match means the G’s sit on top of the West until Saturday’s round of matches.
The Galaxy was on the gas pedal to start this game in their new retrograde kits. Diego Fagundez opened up the scoring in the 12th minute for this fourth goal of the season.
It wouldn’t take long for a familiar face to tie up the match. Kevin Cabral scored in the 32nd minute but injured his arm during that play.
The Galaxy then once again got a hold of the match with a goal from Joseph Paintsil and Riqui Puig. It was smooth sailing at 3-1 but Miki Yamane was called for penalty minutes into stoppage time. The penalty shot was saved but Cole Bassett put away the rebound.
The second half saw LA hold onto the lead and have multiple chances in transition to put away the game for good but couldn’t get the clinical finish. The Galaxy kept the Rapids in check until the final whistle and stayed undefeated at DHSP.
“Second half I was pleased with the grind and effort and getting it done and across the line,” said coach Greg Vanney to reporters postgame.
“You see around the league, the teams at the top right now, there are no guarantees right now anywhere. I think everybody has a little bit of that summer tired fatigue. We are looking in front of us to a tournament that's right in front of us, and I think just to maintain concentration and see this game out was really important and really big."
The Killa P’s - Pec, Paintsil, and Puig - showed up big for the LA Galaxy and were the reason LA won. It had been some time since all three Designated Players showed out together due to injuries and poor form.
“These guys are amazing. To me it doesn't surprise me because I'm with them every single day and training sessions are unbelievable, what they do as well. These guys are unbelievable, that's for sure,” said Mauricio Cuevas postgame about the Killa P’s.
Pec once again stole the show with two assists, four chances created, four dribbles completed and won a game-high seven possessions. The Brazilian has now totaled 19 goal contributions (9 goals, 10 assists) in 24 matches played this season.
He’s found his groove at home and is a consistent performer that’s worth the price of admission at DHSP. Pec has recorded a goal or an assist in 10 straight home games, joining Robbie Keane (2012-13) as the only players in club history to achieve that feat.
Paintsil on the other hand found ways to be effective as a center-forward on the night. Vanney once again didn’t start Miguel Berry and moved one of his wingers to play as the no. 9 with Dejan Joveljic out.
The Rapids were susceptible to getting caught on the counter which meant Paintsil’s pace in open space was a huge asset to the attack.
“(Paintsil) has the space to run and he's not dealing with just density and big center backs. He's got space to open the legs and to run. This is a game that really made sense for him, and that if they wanted to step this way he's going this way and Gabe (Gabriel Pec) is going that way and Riqui (Puig) is going to find those guys,” explained Vanney postgame.
The Ghanian found multiple scenarios where he was alone in space but didn’t win each of those opportunities. His form has taken a massive dip in recent weeks but scoring on Wednesday night was key to getting him and the rest of the attacking force going. It was also the fourth match this season with a goal and an assist in the same match - he set up Puig’s finish in the first half.
One of those attacking pieces was Puig. He’d gone some time without getting on the scoreboard since returning from injury a couple of weeks ago. He tallied his seventh goal of the season, completed 88 of 97 passes (90.7%) and seven dribbles, won 11 of 17 duels and was fouled three times in the win over Colorado.
Puig allowed the LA Galaxy to play at a different speed in possession and was a catalyst when in transition.
“I think that today we make a really good job. I think that we are making really good performance, and also I think that we have really good game on Saturday to be on top and to wait for this break we have. It's really important to stay on top,” said Puig postgame.
The LA Galaxy debuted the Retrograde kit – the team’s third jersey inspired by the club’s inaugural kit from its debut MLS season in 1996. The black, yellow and red designs stand out and the kit has quickly become the most in-demand item among the fanbase. I saw lots of fans wearing that kit as the Galaxy took the field in the club’s old colors
The club cherishes its history and it is a big part of the club’s ethos: the only team in the city and league with five stars. It’s a proud feeling as not many clubs in MLS can claim to have the combination of a rich history of success.
“Some of the highlights from the Retrograde Kit include the ’96 crest, which is the club’s first logo to celebrate and honor the Galaxy’s rich history, the iconic “Los Angeles Galaxy” mark on the front of the jersey and the quasar pattern running down the middle of the jersey, symbolizing a reinterpretation of a classic element with the Galaxy’s modern visual identity,” said the club in a press release about the kit.
The kit was even launched into space (yes, outer space) alongside the original 1996 kit.
“My God, wow. What a jersey, let me tell that you,” said Cuevas about the kit postgame.
“It's something that we all take pride in the history of this club. We all want to live up to the history of the club and all know what's at stake for sure: trying to win that championship,” he added.
The 1996 original kit is a key component in the club’s history for the fan base. Many iconic pictures of the club’s early days feature in that kit. It’s one that coach Vanney wore in his playing days with the club
"They looked really good, right,” said Vanney when I asked him about his thoughts on the Retrograde kit.
“Because of the history and being more in those early '96 years, just to see it out there again in a little bit more upgraded version. The ones back then, I don't know if you guys know how heavy those things were back then. The Budweiser patch was like three pounds on the back. These are a little bit more performance friendly. They look good. I liked them out there….. And I thought we played well in them, especially in the first half. We did them justice."