Riqui Puig scored two goals for a second consecutive MLS Cup Playoff match — both coming in second-half stoppage time — and the LA Galaxy completed a decisive Round 1 series sweep with a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Friday night in Commerce City, Colo.
Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil added their first career MLS postseason goals before halftime, becoming the fourth and fifth players to score this postseason after LA’s 5-0 win at home in Game 1 last Saturday.
Pec’s goal to open the scoring was the result of a bizarre error by Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
That was more than enough to push the second-seeded Galaxy into a Western Conference semifinal against either Minnesota United or Real Salt Lake. Minnesota leads that series 1-0 with Game 2 at home on Saturday.
Oliver Larraz pulled a goal back with an excellent effort from distance in the 19th minute Friday. But despite the return of attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic from an ankle injury that kept him out of Game 1, Colorado finished the season losing six matches in a row between the close of the regular season and its playoff series.
It was also seventh-seeded Colorado’s fourth loss in as many matches against the Galaxy this season.
It got off to the worst possible start for the home side when Pec chased down a ball that it appeared Steffen would be easily able to clear from danger on the defensive left flank outside the penalty area
But Steffen drilled an attempted clearance directly at Pec, and from an improbable angle it redirected sideways into an open goal.
Larraz’s belter from about 25 yards out leveled the game 11 minutes later, but Paintsil’s goal just before halftime would prove decisive.
After taking a pass from Maya Yoshida on the left flank, Paintsil cut inside to bring the ball on his right foot, then curled a low effort off the inside of the far post and beyond Steffen’s dive.
As the Rapids pressed for a late equalizer, Puig punished them twice in the space of two minutes, with Diego Fagundez providing the assist on the first goal and Ped the assist on the second.
–Field Level Media