The Colorado Rapids finished just two points short of the Supporters' Shield and the top seed in the West this year. It was truly a dream season for sure, for it might come to a crashing halt if they don't figure out how to beat the traditional powerhouses of the MLS, the LA Galaxy over the course of 90 minutes in an early match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Don't miss the MLS action from Dick's Sporting Goods Park at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 6, 2016. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Colorado Rapids +110
LA Galaxy +270
Draw +220
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
The result in the first leg of this home-and-home fixture was fantastic for the Galaxy. They didn't allow a goal and picked up a 1-0 victory. That certainly doesn't lock this match up like Seattle's 3-0 win over FC Dallas, but it does set the table up well for them, especially if they're able to get an away goal here in the Rockies.
The Rapids are certainly favorites in this match at home, but if they don't win this one by multiple goals, the best they're going to do is push the affair into extra time. A one-goal win where the Galaxy score won't be good enough for Colorado.
The price of +110 on the moneyline isn't encouraging if you're a Rapids backer, but then again, this has been a year full of surprises for a team that was one of the biggest dogs to win the MLS Cup at the beginning of the season, so why not?
The First Leg
Both managers made some interesting decisions in the first leg by leaving veterans out of the lineup. Robbie Keane is a starter by nature and has been for his entire career. That said, he was out of the fold in the Starting XI in shocking fashion while Alan Gordon was a surprising starter.
But that wasn't the only shock. Jermaine Jones, a regular on the U.S. National Team, was also left out of the fold for the Rapids.
The defense for the Rapids really did play a strong match. The Galaxy only had four shots on target, an incredibly low number by their own standards, particularly at home, and doubly particularly since Landon Donovan came back to the team.
Injury Report
The big question for both of these teams are going to be if their stars are going to be back in the fold as starters. Injuries weren't the reason for either of their absences though, and neither were suspensions.
Steven Gerrard didn't play in the first match in this home-and-home series, and it's not sounding like that he'll end up in this one either. Gyasi Zardes' season is over with as well with a broken toe.
The Rapids have a new injury of concern in Marlon Hairston, who has picked up a leg injury. The only other concern is to Dillon Serna, who is out for the year thanks to a knee injury.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Of the four matches on the docket on Sunday, this one is the most intriguing. The Galaxy have the history of success in the playoffs on their side, but this is a really tough spot against a team that has played really well at home all season long.
Keep Tim Howard's name in mind. He's played really well since his move from Everton back to the MLS, and he's always had a history of playing well in big spots.
The big problem that Howard has though, is that he can only keep the ball out of his own net and not put the ball into the other one. The Rapids have had big issues trying to score in recent weeks. We think they'll do the job defensively, but can they finally notch a decisive goal? They'll come close, but ultimately will come up just short, thus ending a great season in disappointing fashion.
MLS Odds: Colorado 0, LA 0
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