Djordje Mihailovic and Calvin Harris scored goals in a four-minute stretch of the first half and the Colorado Rapids earned a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday at Commerce City, Colo.
After waiting out a two-hour weather delay at the outset, the Rapids (7-8-4, 25 points) ended a three-game losing streak. Colorado scored multiple goals for the first time in its past 10 games.
Rapids goalkeeper Nico Hansen made five saves for a third shutout in his sixth consecutive start in place of Zack Steffen (knee).
The Galaxy (1-13-5, 8 points) saw their defensive woes continue. The defending MLS champions have collapsed under the weight of key injuries and a reworked roster to allow an MLS-high 41 goals this season. Their point total and minus-23 goal differential also are the league’s worst.
Los Angeles has allowed multiple goals in six of its past eight games, including a seven-goal bombardment by the New York Red Bulls in a May 10 shutout defeat.
Novak Micovic, who has replaced John McCarthy in goal, made two saves for the Galaxy.
Mihailovic opened the scoring in the 24th minute when he delivered his team-leading eighth of the season. Sam Vines sent a left-footed cross into the penalty area, and Mihailovic headed home the goal between two Galaxy defenders.
The score came after Colorado was shut out in consecutive home games against Austin FC and Orlando City.
Harris made it 2-0 in the 28th minute when he collected the ball on the right side of the penalty area and fired a right-footed shot just inside the left post. It was his second of the season.
Harris nearly had another goal in the 55th minute, but his left-footed shot, after slicing through the penalty area, rebounded off the left post.
Los Angeles was shut out for the eighth time in MLS play this season.
–Field Level Media
