‘We try and win every game’ – Colorado determined to stick to identity to earn playoff spot

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Matt Wells wants the Colorado Rapids to stick to their identity as they continue their push to secure an MLS playoff spot against the LA Galaxy.

Colorado currently sit seventh in the Western Conference on 36 points, and they come into this game unbeaten in their last three matches (W1 D2).

However, they threw away a 3-1 lead against the Seattle Sounders last time out, conceding twice in the last 15 minutes, including a stoppage-time equaliser from Caden Clark.

And on the road, the Rapids have had their struggles, failing to win any of their last five away games in the competition, with their last such win coming against Minnesota United before the World Cup break in May.

But Wells is not changing his approach despite the end of the regular season approaching, as he remains confident Colorado have what it takes to clinch their playoff berth.

“No special messages [about the playoff push],” he said. “We try and win every game.

“So, for me, our process here is that we’re always immersed in the game preparation. It’s like if we want to look any further ahead than the Galaxy, then we’ll go to the Galaxy and get a total of zero points.

“We have to be fully focused on our next opponent. We’re trying to guess the dynamic of the team they’ll put out, both personnel and tactically.

“We’re in a good spot. It’s about us going out in all of these games now. It’s about us going out and playing to our identity, playing our style and executing the game plan that we’ve put into place.

“We know as a group, whenever we’ve done that, we’ve been successful.”

The Galaxy are also pushing to make it to the postseason, and they sit three points behind the Rapids in eighth.

Greg Vanney’s side have lost just one of their last four league games (W2 D1) and come into this match on the back of a 3-2 comeback win over Minnesota last weekend.

Shots from our W in Minnesota pic.twitter.com/PcOY1RFVn8

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 20, 2026

Marco Reus scored the 13th regular-season goal of his MLS career on Saturday, but it was only his second league goal on the road for LA Galaxy.

Reus’ three goals this month are tied for his most in a single calendar month for the Galaxy, also netting three earlier this season in April.

Colorado Rapids – Morgan Whittaker

On Saturday, Morgan Whittaker tallied a brace for Colorado in his first career start for the club, becoming the second Rapids player to do that this season (Kosi Thompson – April 12).

Prior to this season, the last Rapids player to have multiple goals in his first regular-season start for the club was Raul Diaz Arce in 2001.

LA Galaxy have earned 41 all-time regular-season wins against the Rapids (incl. shootout wins), tied for their most wins against a single MLS opponent (also the San Jose Earthquakes).

The only MLS team to have more wins against a single team in regular-season play is Columbus against the New England Revolution (42).

Trailing 2-1 in the 75th minute, the Galaxy scored twice to earn a 3-2 comeback win against Minnesota United last weekend. It was the second time over the last eight seasons that the Galaxy rallied to win after trailing in the 75th minute or later, also doing so in March 2024 at Sporting Kansas City.

But the Rapids earned a 3-3 draw Saturday against Seattle, their first time scoring three or more goals since a 6-2 win against the Houston Dynamo in April.

Colorado scored at least three goals in three of their first seven matches in 2026 across all competitions but have done so in just one of their last 23 games.

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