LA Galaxy alter lineup vs. Rapids with Boateng out, Gerrard, Keane on bench

Emmanuel Boateng - LA Galaxy - June 2016

If the LA Galaxy are to maneuver past the Colorado Rapids and continue their Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs run, they'll do so without their star performer from the Knockout Round.


Fleet-footed LA winger Emmanuel Boateng has been ruled out of Sunday's Western Conference Semifinal second-leg match at Colorado due to a hamstring injury, apparently sustained during training this week. 

While Boateng – who scored two goals in the Galaxy's 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake in their first playoff game – was not on the visitors' 18-man gameday roster at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane are in the squad.


But LA's star Designated Players were once again handed reserve roles by coach Bruce Arena, who preferred a front four of Alan Gordon, Giovani dos Santos, Mike Magee and Landon Donovan. Keane has featured as a substitute in both of LA's playoff games thus far, while Gerrard has yet to appear in the postseason.


The Galaxy are defending a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead earned via last week's first-leg win at home.