For playoff openers, last Wednesday’s performance couldn’t have gone any better for the Galaxy.

They had a fast start, scoring three goals in the first 34 minutes, pretty much playing Real Salt Lake off of the StubHub Center field in the knockout-round game.

“This was the best collective effort we’ve had in a while,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said afterward.

To get through the next round, they know that an even better performance is needed.

The Galaxy kick off their Western Conference semifinal series against the Colorado Rapids today at StubHub Center.

“They’ve worked hard to be a real blue-collar type of team,” Arena said of Colorado. “They have an impressive defensive record. They’re one of the better defensive teams. We’re going to go out and play the way we play and see where that takes us.

“They’re certainly going to come in here, I think knowing that the second leg is in Colorado, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they play in a somewhat conservative manner and be pleased getting a draw here.”

The teams met three times during the regular season and the Galaxy managed only one goal. The Rapids scored just two, but if that’s the case after the two legs of the series, then that would be just enough to end the Galaxy’s season.

“We know this is a much different level,” Landon Donovan said of facing Colorado. “We’re going to have to be even better, but I think we’re confident that we can be.”

Donovan hasn’t played in any of the three previous meetings this season with Colorado.

Donovan has started the last three games. He went 90 minutes in the final game of the regular season and 87 in the knockout-round game against RSL on Wednesday.

He’s aware of the challenges that Colorado will present today and possibly throughout the series.

“You look at them individually, they have a lot of quality players,” Donovan said. “You look at them collectively and they’re even better defensively. So, what they will do is they’ll press us in certain ways, they’ll be really compact and they have a few playmakers that can make plays, so we have to be mindful of that.”

Colorado’s success begins with its defense. The Rapids have allowed the fewest goals in the league this season (32). Offensively, the Rapids have scored just 39 goals.

Combined that with the Galaxy’s regular-season struggles to score against the Colorado defense, the Galaxy understand the importance of scoring first and making Colorado chase the game.

“They’re going to be a completely different opposition than (Real) Salt Lake,” Galaxy forward Robbie Keane said. “The Salt Lake game was fairly comfortable, never looked like we were in any danger.

“This will be completely different in terms of how they approach the game. They’re a fit team and they press a lot. We have play the way we know how to play. We know they’re a tough team that’s well-organized, but we have to be clever how we play the game, but we’ve got players on this team that’s clever footballers.”

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COLORADO RAPIDS at L.A. GALAXY

Kickoff: 2 p.m. at StubHub Center

TV/Radio: ESPN; KWKW/1330

Update: The Rapids finished second in the Western Conference with 58 points. Goalkeeper Tim Howard has allowed 19 goals since arriving. He has recorded seven shutouts. Colorado went undefeated at home (11-0-6) and 4-6-7 on the road. Shkelzen Gashi led Colorado with nine goals this season. Dominique Badji and Kevin Doyle had six apiece. The second leg of this series is Nov. 6 in Colorado. Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard (hamstring) has missed the last three games and could be available. “He looks like he could be ready to go,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said.