Colorado Rapids vs. Los Angeles Galaxy: Breaking down the decisive leg of the conference semifinals

Colorado Rapids will rely on their stingy home record in hopes of eliminating Los Angeles Galaxy

L.A. Galaxy striker Giovani dos Santos tackles the ball from Rapids midfielder Dillon Powers during a first leg match of the Western Conference Semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs at StuhHub Center on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016.

The Los Angeles Galaxy leads the Colorado Rapids 1-0 heading into the second and decisive match of the Western Conference semifinals Sunday. Here’s what you need to know.

When: Noon, Sunday

Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City

TV/Radio: ESPN/950 AM

Format: The scores of two matches (home and away) are combined, with the aggregate winner advancing. Los Angeles leads 1-0 entering Sunday. If the scoreline ends in a tie, the team that scored more road goals advances.

Extra time: If the Rapids lead 1-0 after 90 minutes Sunday, the aggregate scoreline will stand at 1-1. This is the only scenario in which two 15-minute halves of extra time will be played. The extra time is played to completion (no sudden death). Road goals are not a tiebreaker in extra time.

Penalty kicks: If the game remains tied after 30 minutes of extra time, the winner will be decided by a best-of-five penalty kick shootout. Sudden death penalty kicks follow, if necessary.

Colorado’s projected starting lineup:

Position	Player
GK	Tim Howard
DF	Eric Miller
DF	Jared Watts
DF	Axel Sjoberg
DF	Marc Burch
MF	Micheal Azira
MF	Sam Cronin
MF	Dominique Badji
MF	Jermaine Jones
MF	Shkelzen Gashi
FW	Kevin Doyle

Los Angeles’ projected starting lineup:

Position	Player
GK	Brian Rowe
DF	Robbie Rogers
DF	A.J. DeLaGarza
DF	Jelle Van Damme
DF	Ashley Cole
MF	Sebastian Lletget
MF	Landon Donovan
MF	Baggio Husidic
MF	Emmanuel Boateng
FW	Robbie Keane
FW	Giovani dos Santos

Colorado’s keys to victory: If the Rapids concede a goal in regulation Sunday, it would likely mean the end of their season, as they would need to score three goals to win by two and advance. The Rapids have scored three goals in a league game only three times this year. The Rapids have won by multiple goals only twice all season. The key for Colorado will be to stick to its game plan: be tough to break down on defense and shut out the Galaxy. Offensively, it is a team that looks to capitalize on set pieces or mistakes in the attacking third. Colorado likes to get its fullbacks up into the attack, which could leave it exposed down the wings. Its defensive midfielders will need to track back to snuff out counterattacks down the wing.

Los Angeles’ keys to victory: The Galaxy needs to score a goal to force Colorado to score three. L.A. has conceded three goals or more in a game only three times this season, and it has lost by multiple goals only once in league play (4-2 vs. Seattle on Sept. 25). The Galaxy relies on individual moments of brilliance from its high-priced stars, strikers Giovani dos Santos and Robbie Keane. It also likes to attack down the wings with the speedy Emmanuel Boateng or Sebastian Lletget. Defending set pieces, another strength, will also be vital to preserving its 1-0 lead.

The Fortress: Colorado will rely on its home form in order to advance. The Rapids set a record for lowest goals-against average (0.41) at home this season after allowing just seven goals in 17 matches. They became only the fifth team in MLS history to go unbeaten at home during an entire season.  Here’s how the other four fared in the playoffs:

Year	Team	W	L	T	Points	Playoff finish
2005	San Jose Earthquakes	9	0	7	34	Conference semifinals
2010	Real Salt Lake	11	0	4	37	Conference semifinals
2011	Los Angeles Galaxy	12	0	5	41	Won MLS Cup
2012	Houston Dynamo	11	0	6	39	Lost MLS Cup
2016	Colorado Rapids	11	0	6	39

The coaches: The master faces the apprentice. Galaxy coach Bruce Arena is a three-time MLS coach of the year and has won five MLS Cups and three Supporters’ Shields. The former U.S. national team boss knows which buttons to press come playoff time. Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni finished his playing career with Los Angeles under Arena in 2013. He has shown tremendous growth in his third season guiding the Rapids and is a finalist for MLS coach of the year.

The defenders: Both teams are anchored by a center back who is a finalist for MLS defender of the year. For L.A., it’s the big Belgian Jelle Van Damme. The 6-foot-3 defender is a force on set pieces, but can also push forward, as was seen on the Galaxy’s goal in the opening in this series, set up by Van Damme. For the Rapids, the 6-foot-7 Swede Axel Sjoberg has been the steadiest defender on the best defense in MLS this year.

The goalkeepers: The Rapids’ Tim Howard and Galaxy’s Brian Rowe have been two of the best goalkeepers in MLS this season. Both will be in the spotlight should the game come down to penalty kicks. Howard, the longtime U.S. national team goalkeeper, is a finalist for MLS goalkeeper of the year despite only playing half a season.

The stars: Colorado’s best scoring threat is Albanian attacker Shkelzen Gashi, who led the team with nine goals this season. The two-time leading scorer in the Swiss first division is dangerous from distance and is the Rapids’ primary free kick taker. For L.A., Mexican international Giovani dos Santos, who was credited with a goal in the first leg, is having one of his best seasons as a professional. He led the Galaxy with 14 goals and 12 assists this year.

The X-factors: What will Colorado get from midfielder Jermaine Jones? The U.S. international played the second half in L.A. last Sunday, just his second appearance since July 4. He showed flashes, nearly scoring a long- distance strike, and breaking up play on defense. The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan started his fourth consecutive match and was vital in helping L.A. release pressure, maintain possession and link up play into the attack.

Recent playoff woes: With the Rapids’ loss last Sunday, Colorado has lost its last four playoff games dating back to its 2011 knockout round win over Columbus Crew. The Rapids enter the match scoreless in their last 405 playoff minutes.

Galaxy’s playoff dominance: L.A. has outscored the Rapids 15-1 all-time in eight playoff meetings. The Rapids are 1-7 in eight playoff games against the Galaxy and 0-4 all-time in playoff series.

Previous meetings this year:
Rapids 1, Galaxy 0 March 12 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Rapids 0, Galaxy 0 June 22 at StubHub Center
Rapids 1, Galaxy 1 Aug. 13 at StubHub Center
Galaxy 1, Rapids 0 Oct. 30 at StubHub Center (playoffs)

What’s ahead: The winner advances to the Western Conference finals to face the winner of No. 1-seed F.C. Dallas vs. No. 4 Seattle Sounders.