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Casey, Rapids host Galaxy

Apr 24, 2009 - 10:24 PM By Kate Hedlin Stats Writer

Los Angeles (0-1-3) at Colorado (2-2-1), 9:30 p.m. EDT

COMMERCE CITY, Colorado (AP) -- Colorado's Conor Casey missed a crucial penalty kick in the Rapids' last game. He can make up for it against a team he easily found the back of the net against earlier this month.

Casey and the Rapids host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, looking to continue their domination in the all-time series.

Colorado (2-2-1) beat Los Angeles 3-2 on April 4 behind three goals from Casey, who netted the winner in the 84th minute. Casey is tied for the league lead with four goals.

The Rapids return home after a three-game road trip in which they went 1-1-1. They ended it on a disappointing note, losing 1-0 to Houston on Sunday.

Casey is especially looking for some redemption after missing a chance to tie the match last week. He was awarded a penalty kick in the 83rd minute, but his shot was denied and the rebound attempt was also saved.

"It was a long trip and long day not to get a point after Conor did everything he did to create the PK," goalkeeper Preston Burpo said. "There are some positives going on with us. We just have to keep building on that for next week."

The Rapids play three of their next four in Colorado, where they won 2-1 on March 28 in their only home game of the season. This is the fourth all-time meeting at Dick's Sporting Goods Park between these teams, with Colorado outscoring the Galaxy 8-0 in winning all three matches.

"It's been almost a month now since we've played a home game," defender Scott Palguta told the Rapids' official Web site. "I'm really, really looking forward to it. Everybody's looking forward to it."

The Galaxy (0-1-3) remain the only winless team in the Western Conference. They've played to a draw in their last two contests, including 1-1 at San Jose last Saturday. Forward Bryan Jordan scored in the 76th minute to tie the game after the Earthquakes took a lead in the fifth minute.

"Overall, I was encouraged by our performance," coach Bruce Arena said. "Obviously the early goal we gave up is a concern, but I think our guys showed a lot of character.

"I was encouraged at halftime. I thought we could win the game, not just get a point."

Los Angeles' slow start is made all the more frustrating by the fact that it was unable to take advantage of a stretch of home games to start the season, dropping two of three. The loss to the Earthquakes kicked off a stretch of four of five games on the road.

"I think the character of this team has been tested in the early going and they've responded well," Arena said. "Despite what people may think, this has not been a negative start to the season. Are we happy with where we are? No, of course not. But there are some real positive signs."

The Galaxy are 7-15-3 all-time in Colorado. They have not won in their last 11 visits there since a 3-1 victory July 13, 2002.