Galaxy scores three goals in first half on way to rout of Colorado
LA Galaxy midfielder Gastón Brugman brings the ball up the pitch against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Delgado dribbles the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, right, tries to recover the ball against Colorado Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry, left, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney looks on during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Colorado Rapids Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Efrain Alvarez, right, leaps in the air as Colorado Rapids defender Lalas Abubakar, left, kicks the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, right, brings the ball up the pitch as Colorado Rapids midfielder Max Alves da Silva, left, defends during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, center, deflects the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić, center, dribbles the ball against Colorado Rapids midfielder Max Alves da Silva, left, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Efrain Alvarez, right, kicks the ball past Colorado Rapids midfielder Max Alves da Silva, left, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić, left, look at the empty net chased by Colorado Rapids defender Lalas Abubakar, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić, right, dribbles the ball past Colorado Rapids defender Lalas Abubakar during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney yells at his players during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Colorado Rapids Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
Colorado Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough attempts to block a goal shot by LA Galaxy midfielder Gastón Brugman during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Gastón Brugman, right, celebrates after scoring a goal past Colorado Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough, left, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
Colorado Rapids midfielder Max Alves da Silva, left, kicks the ball against LA Galaxy forward Javier Hernández, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig brings the ball up the pitch against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Javier Hernández, left, kicks the ball in for a goal past Colorado Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Javier Hernández, center, reacts after scoring a goal past Colorado Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Javier Hernández, center, reacts after scoring a goal past Colorado Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Raheem Edwards, right dribbles against Colorado Rapids defender Steven Beitashour, left, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy won 4-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo recovers the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Raheem Edwards, left, celebrates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Rapidscduring the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Raheem Edwards, second from left, kicks the ball for a goal against the Colorado Rapids during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Gastón Brugman, bottom right, is helped up by teammates after he scored a goal against the Colorado Rapids during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Douglas Costa, left, fights for the ball against Colorado Rapids midfielder Sam Nicholson, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, right, kicks the ball past a Colorado Rapids defender during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Gastón Brugman, right, watches the ball go in for a goal past Colorado Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough, left front, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Gastón Brugman, right, watches the ball go in for a goal past Colorado Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough, left front, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Raheem Edwards, left, celebrates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Rapidscduring the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Javier Hernández, left, kicks the ball in for a goal past Colorado Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo recovers the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Javier Hernández, center, reacts after scoring a goal past Colorado Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, right, kicks the ball past a Colorado Rapids defender during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Gastón Brugman, bottom right, is helped up by teammates after he scored a goal against the Colorado Rapids during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Raheem Edwards, second from left, kicks the ball for a goal against the Colorado Rapids during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., contributing photographer)
CARSON — The sand in the hourglass counting down to the end of the Galaxy’s playoffs hopes was put on pause, at least for one night.
The Galaxy, coming off of a frustrating 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday, hit Colorado with a 1-2-3 combination in a 10-minute stretch with goals from Gaston Brugman, Raheem Edwards and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez for a three-goal lead and an eventual 4-1 win on Saturday night in front of 20,325 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
“The last couple of games, specifically Wednesday, there was a lot of possession, but it didn’t really go anywhere and it didn’t end with chances,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “Tonight, it was the opposite of that. It was much more purposeful, more intent, when we play between the lines, when we face forward, we were putting pressure on the backline … much more purposeful with our possession.”
The win moves the Galaxy (12-12-7) back above the playoff line in the Western Conference and into seventh place on 43 points. Technically, they’re tied with Real Salt Lake, but the Galaxy has the edge in wins (12-11) and they have a game in hand on Salt Lake. The Galaxy are also two points back of fifth-place Minnesota (with a game in hand) and sixth-place Portland.
From the outset, the Galaxy looked like a team that was intent on being more dangerous in attack, compared to recent games. Their performance in Vancouver drew the ire of Vanney.
That wasn’t the case Saturday.
The Galaxy not only controlled possession early but got into dangerous positions, leading to the goals. Puig was the conductor, finishing with three assists.
“We’ve shown capacity to have possession of the ball, now it’s finishing attacks and getting production off the end of that possession,” Vanney said. “Our transition game came back. For a few games, we weren’t as direct in transition when we had the opportunity. Our intention in transition was to attack the opposition and we were able to build some numbers, create some opportunities and some goals.”
On the opening goal, Brugman made the run off of the ball and Samuel Grandsir hit him in stride and Brugman did the rest, slotting the ball by Colorado goalkeeper William Yarbrough.
Puig and Julian Araujo combined to assist Hernandez on his goal. Hernandez highlighted the sequence with a calm backheel into the goal.
Brugman added a second goal, again striking from outside the penalty box in the 52nd minute.
“Last year, my position was more offensive, but Greg (Vanney) has asked me to be more of a No. 6,” Brugman said. “I’ve always had the goal in mind. We had a good signal after a bad loss in Vancouver. We have three finals left to get it our best.”
Galaxy still has work to do despite 5-game unbeaten streak
The night wasn’t all perfect, though. The Galaxy went down to 10 men in the 62nd minute after Douglas Costa was issued a red card after a mini-fracas broke out. Costa put his hands to the face of Colorado’s Felipe Gutierrez for the red card. Costa will miss next Saturday’s road game at San Jose.
After the dust-up settled, the Galaxy was never really threatened for the remainder of the game. Colorado’s Sam Nicholoson did break up the shutout with a goal in the 90th minute.
The Galaxy now have just three games remaining in the regular season, next Saturday at San Jose, Oct. 1 at home against Real Salt Lake and Decision Day, the final game of the season, Oct. 9 at Houston.
“With our group, we have a pretty emotional group that probably ride our results more than we should,” Vanney said. “Our group is good enough that internally they should trust themselves and each other a little more and the results shouldn’t make such a difference on our group in terms of our understanding of where we are and sometimes our belief in ourselves.
“Any time we’ve had good results, we’ve taken that step forward and now we have to recover and go lace them up and play our game in hand and make something out of it. We still have a lot of work ahead of us.”
