Galaxy hoping new talent too much for Rapids

The LA Galaxy began the 2020 MLS season winless in their first five games. They've completely turned things around, and on Saturday at home look to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches when they host the Colorado Rapids.

The Galaxy (4-3-3, 15 points) scored three goals in three straight games as part of a four-game winning streak that ended with a scoreless draw against the San Jose Earthquakes in their most recent match on Sept. 13. But now they have Mexican stars Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and Jonathan dos Santos healthy and able to play, which should spark the attack.

"They are getting better. They are ready for more minutes," coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto told the Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles has four goals each from Cristian Pavon and Sebastian Lletget to lead the team, and has historically owned the head-to-head matchup with Colorado. The Galaxy have 24 wins to just eight losses with six draws all-time against Colorado, and have outscored the Rapids 73-35 in those 38 meetings.

Colorado (3-4-4, 13 points) can get back into the postseason picture with a win. The Rapids have lost just once in the past five games, but three of those were draws and one, their most recent game on Sept. 16, was a 4-1 loss at FC Dallas.

Saturday's game will be the Rapids' fifth in 15 days in Major League Soccer's compressed schedule it has put together since the MLS is Back tournament.

"Coming off a big win, you'd like a long stretch to enjoy that feeling. But you come off a loss, and you're pretty happy that you get to turn it around and do it again pretty quickly," coach Robin Fraser said. "The games are coming fast and furious. It's happening for everyone in the league."

Saturday will be the first meeting of the season between the two teams. Colorado, despite having scored far fewer goals overall in the series with the Galaxy, is unbeaten in the last four matches against them, including three wins.

--Field Level Media