Half Time: Colorado Rapids-Galaxy at Home Depot Center
It was largely one-way offensive traffic in the first half of this U.S. Open Cup qualifier, with the Galaxy dominating, yet spurning, most of the opportunities that came their way.
Carlos Ruiz, taking a page from the David Beckham playbook, had the most exciting chance, spotting goalkeeper Preston Burpo out of position and sending a hard shot clunking off the post from just a yard inside the Rapids' half. He also saw another vicious 23-yard shot parried onto the post by Burpo in the 36th minute.
Colorado actually had more shots on target (2) than the Galaxy (1), but the Galaxy looked the most dangerous team especially in the opening half hour.
Stephen Keel was forced to clear a shot off the goal line and almost scored an own goal that required a Burpo save inside the opening 10 minutes alone.
About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook.
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