Colorado Rapids 1-0 Los Angeles Galaxy: No Pain, No Points

May 3, 2014; Commerce City, CO, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Stefan Ishizaki (24) corner kicks against the Colorado Rapids in the first half at Dicks Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

You ever heard of the old saying, “No Pain, No Gain?” Well, in the case of Pablo Mastroeni’s Colorado Rapids, it may as well be the saying “No Pain, No Points.” Despite a left knee injury to Vicente Sanchez and a concussion to Marlon Hairston, the Rapids were able to come up with a 1-0 shutout victory over Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

Here are six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for the match between the Colorado Rapids and Los Angeles Galaxy.

1. Missed chances from Los Angeles early

Early on in the first half, a salvo of shots from the Galaxy’s Landon Donovan and Stefan Ishizaki were saved by the Colorado Rapids’ Clint Irwin and Drew Moor in the second minute. DeShorn Brown almost cashed in on the transition but couldn’t finish in the third minute of play. A shot from Chris Klute in the sixth minute of play missed wide left. Another chance from Brown went over the bar in the ninth minute. Robbie Keane’s first chance in the 13th minute missed wide left.

2. Injury? What injury?

Leonardo nearly gave up a shocker in the 18th minute of play and Brown could have capitalized on the gaffe, but the end result was a Rapids corner. Sanchez, despite being sidelined with a big of a knee issue, scored in the 20th minute of play to make it 1-0 Colorado Rapids.

A corner from Ishizaki in the 27th minute found Rob Friend but he missed wide right of the mark. Another chance from Friend in the 28th minute was collected by Irwin. Omar Gonzalez denied Brown’s next opportunity in the 29th minute of play.

3. DeShorn Brown’s bad luck continues

Brown had been delivering shots left and right on Jaime Penedo, and in the 31st minute, his volley had a lot of mustard on it. In the 37th minute, Baggio Husidic tried to find Robbie Keane, but he headed it over the bar. In the 39th minute, Donovan looked for the far post but missed wide left. Another flick from Brown in the 44th minute beat Penedo but hit the woodwork. Husidic’s first big shot in the sole minute of first half stoppage time went over the bar.

Colorado Rapids LA Galaxy
5 Attempts on Goal 8
2 Shots on Target 3
2 Shots off Target 5
1 Blocked Shots 0
3 Corner Kicks 2
3 Fouls 3
10 Open Play Crosses 7
2 Offsides 1
0 First Yellow Cards 0
0 Second Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
17 Duels Won 25
39% Duels Won % 58%
191 Total Pass 210
79% Passing Accuracy % 80%
48.8% Possession 51.2%

4. More close calls for the Galaxy

Early on in the second half, Stefan Ishizaki’s corner in the 48th minute was cleared. Drew Moor nearly gave up a howler in the 49th minute of play but it also hit the post. Jose Mari’s defending was clutch in the ensuing two corners from the Galaxy. A shot from Dan Gargan in the 58th minute was saved by Clint Irwin, forcing a corner that was also cleared.

5. Keystone Kops from Keano

In the 60th minute, Drew Moor conceded a penalty. However, the ensuing penalty from Keane in the 61st missed wide right. From this author’s perspective, one has to question why Landon Donovan did not try to convert the penalty instead of Keane. Marvell Wynne conceded a corner in the 73rd minute of play that was cleared for a goal kick.

6. The record will have to wait for Landon…again

DeShorn Brown nearly broke free again in the 79th minute but was offsides. Zardes’s cross for Donovan hit the post in the 80th minute of play. A cross from Donovan in the 83rd minute was deflected for a corner that was eventually collected. The next shot from Brown in the 90th minute was tipped over the bar for a corner. A last-minute chance from Donovan in the fifth minute of stoppage time missed wide right, summing up a sorry night for the Galaxy and another gritty win at home for the Rapids.

Colorado Rapids Player Ratings

Clint Irwin 8, Chris Klute 7, Drew Moor 7, March Burch 8.5, Marvell Wynne 7, Dillon Serna 7, Nick LaBrocca 6, Jose Mari 7, Marlon Hairston 5, DeShorn Brown 6.5, Vicente Sanchez 9, Edson Buddle 5, Charles Eloundou 4

Los Angeles Galaxy Player Ratings

Jaime Penedo 4, Dan Gargan 5, Leonardo 1, A.J. DeLaGarza 5, Omar Gonzalez 4, Juninho 4.5, Stefan Ishizaki 5, Baggio Husidic 4, Landon Donovan 4, Rob Friend 4, Robbie Keane 3, Kofi Opare 4, Gyase Zardes 3, Samuel 2.5