The Colorado Rapids (2-1-0, 6 pts., 5th West) earn consecutive victories at home following a 4-1 victory over the LA Galaxy (1-1-1, 4 pts., 8th West) on Saturday night.
Heading into Saturday night, the Rapids were looking to post consecutive positive results at home to help kickstart the 2026 MLS campaign. With a 2-0 win against the Timbers in last weekend’s home opener, the Rapids were eyeing another victory on Saturday night against the Galaxy at DSGP.
As they did in their previous contest, Colorado controlled possession early. Their strength on the ball led to multiple opportunities in the final third as they tried to break through the LA back line. The Burgundy Boys’ continuous attempts on net eventually showed results, with the home side getting on the board first.
The play started in the 22nd minute, with Hamzat Ojediran sending a pass to Paxten Aaronson, who then calmly laid the ball off to a streaking Darren Yapi into space. The Homegrown took care of business himself, taking on a Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida with a slick move to put the ball on his left foot for a strike. Yapi’s shot beat the LA keeper for his first goal of the season and the 11th of his MLS career.
After conceding, the Galaxy began to mount their comeback efforts with more possession of the ball. The club was able to create more chances in the midfield but were unable to translate that into success in the final third.
Colorado managed to keep LA at bay for the remainder of the first half, taking a 1-0 lead into the break.
The Galaxy came out of halftime with added energy and found more success from their attackers. That increase led to the club’s best opportunity of the match in the 56th minute when LA found the equalizer off the foot of Joāo Klauss.
From there, the match equaled out in terms of possession from both sides. Just four minutes following the equalizing goal, the match saw its inflection point come when Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec received a red card after being issued his second yellow card.
Following the ejection, it was all Rapids. Kicking off a barrage of second half goals was Alexis Manyoma, who bagged the eventual game-winner off a cross from Homegrown forward Darren Yapi in the 76th minute. The goal was the Colombian’s first as a member of the Rapids.
Continuing the party was Designated Player Rafael Navarro, who created magic late in the match’s dying moments. Starting off the play was a solo run from defender Keegan Rosenberry, who put a good shot on net to give the Galaxy goalkeeper trouble. Ready to pounce on a loose ball was Navarro, who calmly placed a rebounded shot into the back of the net to put Colorado up 3-1.
The scoring wouldn’t end there for the Brazilian, as he saved his best for last in the 89th minute. After midfielder Wayne Frederick forced a turnover in the final third, the ball found Navarro, who immediately had a golden opportunity in the opponent’s box. The striker took a touch onto his left foot and curled in a perfectly placed shot with pace into the top left corner of the net.
Navarro’s brace marked his fifth multi-goal game for the Rapids, becoming just the third player in club history to reach this milestone, joining Paul Bravo (7) and Conor Casey (6).
That would be all for Colorado as the club earned consecutive victories in their first two matches at DSGP this season.
Colorado will hit the road for their next matchup against New York City FC on Saturday, March 14. Kickoff at Yankee Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m. MT with coverage available on Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, Tico Sports Spanish Radio, ColoradoRapids.com, and the Colorado Rapids app.
