Rapids finally earn 1st win over slumping Galaxy

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:22 am

Substitute Andre Shinyashiki scored in the 82nd minute and the Colorado Rapids at last won their first match of the 2019 MLS season, 1-0 over the LA Galaxy on Sunday at Carson, Calif.

Shinyashiki's second goal, and his first since his pro debut in the Rapids' season opener, snapped an eight-match losing streak and gave interim coach Conor Casey his first career victory.

Tim Howard had six saves for Colorado (1-9-2, 5 points), which was in its third game since the dismissal of former head coach Anthony Hudson. It first shutout for Howard, the longtime United States standout, since the second-to-last game of the 2018 season.

Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham made four saves, and did his best to hold his side together in the first of two matches without suspended star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was disciplined for grabbing the neck of New York City FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson on May 11.

The Galaxy (7-5-1, 22 points) were outshot 22-18 and trailed the Rapids in missed chances 6-2. They have now lost four consecutive games after dropping just one of their first nine, but they still sit fourth in the Western Conference standings.

After ramping up the pressure throughout the second half, Shinyashiki though he'd provided the game-winning assist when he sprayed the ball to his right for Kei Kamara during a 3-on-2 break.

Andre Shinyashiki
Andre Shinyashiki
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Bingham sprung off his line and smothered Kamara's initial attempt. But Shinyashiki was first to the rebound, and from just beyond the penalty spot slotted a left-footed finish inside the right post.

The score following one of the Rapids' best halves of the season. Kamara himself could have delivered a second-half hat trick. Aside from the Bingham save before Shinyashiki goal, in the 58th minute he shot a rebound opportunity over the bar with the goal wide open, and in the 76th minute he struck the right post with a header.

In the 79th minute, the Rapids' Sam Nicholson reached Jack Price's long diagonal ball and had Bingham beaten, but LA defender Giancarlo Gonzalez made a sliding clearance at the last moment.

The Galaxy's best chances came early. Inside the opening 11 minutes, Favio Alvarez and Rolf Feltscher each sent opportunities directly at Howard. In the 23rd, Emmanuel Boateng's deflection forced Colorado defender Keegan Rosenberry into a last-ditch clearance.