Colorado Rapids 1, LA Galaxy 0 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

In a matchup of MLS originals, the Colorado Rapids and LA Galaxy looked to be headed to a scoreless draw until the dying moments of the match, when Colorado's Marco Pappa volleyed home an errant Galaxy clearance in the 95th minute to give the home side all three points in their 2016 home opener.

Both teams struggled to create quality chances, with the Galaxy's best chance coming off a set play that resulted in center back Jelle Van Damme – making his MLS debut –  striking the crossbar for the Galaxy in the 30th minute. 

Box score

• 95'+ – COL – Marco Pappa
• Full box score
• Stats
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Three Things

PAPPA SAVES RAPIDS: After struggling to score goals in 2015 and going scoreless in Week 1 against the San Jose Earthquakes, it looked as if the Rapids were going to go yet another game without a goal. But one of their biggest offseason acquisitions played hero as Pappa came through with the big play. The former Seattle Sounder entered the match in the 67th minute, scoring his first goal for Colorado in dramatic fashion.

GALAXY UNABLE TO GENERATE OFFENSE: After the insertion of Mike Magee at halftime of the Galaxy's opener, LA reeled off four goals in the second half against D.C. United en route to a 4-1 triumph. With Magee starting for the injured Giovani Dos Santos on Saturday, some would have expected the Galaxy to continue their high-scoring ways. But they were unable to do so against a stout Colorado defense that conceded just one shot on target.

DEBUTS AND APPEARANCES: 
After missing their team's respective openers, defenders
Jelle Van Damme
 (LA Galaxy) and
Mekeil Williams
 (Colorado Rapids) made their MLS debuts. Both showed well with Van Damme limiting Rapids striker
Kevin Doyle
and Williams getting up and down the right flank for Colorado. A familiar face also made an appearance at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, with new Rapids acquisition 
Jermaine Jones
taking in the sights first-hand.

Next up

• COL: Sunday at D.C. United (5 pm ET, ESPN2)
• LA: Saturday vs. San Jose Earthquakes (10:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE)