Having produced what some suggested was their most ‘complete’ performance of the season, in defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-0 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the Colorado Rapids step back onto the road for a Saturday night showdown with LA Galaxy (8:30 p.m. MT).

Four points and two places separate the two teams. The Rapids occupy second spot in the standings. LA slipped to fourth last weekend, despite coming from 2-0 down to tie New York Red Bulls 2-2 at home.

This is a third and final meeting in the regular season and, to date, the Rapids have the upper hand in the series. A late, late Marco Pappa strike in the Rapids’ home opener on March 12 gifted Colorado their first win of the year, before the sides settled for a point apiece in a goalless draw at StubHub Center in June.

Tim Howard is set to face LA Galaxy in MLS for the first time since April 19, 2003, when his Metrostars teammates that day included Mike Magee and Kenny Arena. Magee is back with the Galaxy for a second stint, while Arena is Assistant Coach with an LA side led by his father, Bruce.

Micheal Azira is available again, having sat out last weekend’s win over the Whitecaps due to suspension, while Sebastien Le Toux has now had a full week with his new team after arriving from Philadelphia Union.

The Rapids have won at the Galaxy on only seven occasions, and not since 2013, but this is a side that has won half of their 22 games this season, and pushed beyond the 40-point mark in the quickest time in franchise history. This is a different team, in a different season, and they will be confident of a different outcome.

OPPOSITION

For LA Galaxy this is their third home game in a week, and they will be eager to improve on their two most recent performances. Last Sunday they needed a first-ever MLS goal from Ashley Cole, in the last minute of the game, to tie the Red Bulls 2-2. An under-strength side then let-slip a 1-0 lead in extra-time on Wednesday, as they lost their Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal clash with FC Dallas 2-1.

Since losing 1-0 at Toronto FC on June 18, the Galaxy have gone eight league games without defeat (4-0-4), and expect to welcome back Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, Nigel de Jong and Jelle Van Damme - all of who missed out on the midweek match with Dallas. Gyasi Zardes, meanwhile, returned for the Open Cup loss, after missing two MLS games with a chest muscle strain.

MATCH INFO

LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids (8:30 p.m. MT)

Saturday, August 13 - StubHub Center

Referee: Juan Guzman

TEAM NEWS

Galaxy: Larentowicz (suspended), Rogers (ankle)

Rapids: Jones (knee), Serna (knee)

BROADCAST

TV: Altitude TV

Radio: Altitude AM 950 and La Invasora 87.7FM