LAFC resumes home success with shutout of the Colorado Rapids

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:28 am

Lee Nguyen and Diego Rossi scored second-half goals on Sunday night, and LAFC got back to their winning ways at home with a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.

LAFC was unbeaten in 10 home MLS matches and 14 home matches across all competitions when it was defeated Aug. 11 by Sporting Kansas City. Sunday was LAFC's first match at Banc of California Stadium since that defeat.

The Rapids saw their three-match unbeaten streak come to an end. Colorado had two victories in that stretch, including a win and a tie against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

With the three points, LAFC moved it into a tie for second place in the Western Conference with Sporting Kansas City, which holds the tiebreaker edge based on goal differential. Both teams are three points behind first-place FC Dallas.

Four minutes into the second half, Nguyen worked his way through the left side of the box in tight traffic, switching from his right to his left foot before poking a quick shot past Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard and into the upper left corner of the goal. It was Nguyen's second goal of the season.

LAFC celebrates
LAFC celebrates
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Rossi's breakaway from near midfield came in the 80th minute, as he changed direction to beat defender Danny Wilson and put a right-footed shot past Howard. It was Rossi's eighth goal of the season.

The teams were unable to produce in a scoreless first half despite solid chances.

Colorado's Niki Jackson had a shot on goal from outside of the box in the 35th minute that was saved by Tyler Miller. Jackson then sent a diving header off target less than a minute later. Miller earned his eighth clean sheet of the season, making five saves.

In the 36th minute, LAFC's Carlos Vela took a left-footed shot from inside the box that was deflected over the goal by Howard. In first-half stoppage time, LAFC's Laurent Ciman blasted a curving free kick from 30 yards out that Howard redirected away from goal.

Adama Diomande, LAFC's leading scorer, came on as a second-half substitute after missing the previous two MLS matches with a hamstring injury. Diomande got an assist for setting Rossi free on his breakaway goal.