Early goal is all Rapids need to beat Galaxy, 1-0

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- Vicente Sanchez scored in the 20th minute, leading the Colorado Rapids to a 1-0 victory over the Galaxy on Saturday night.

Sanchez, who sat out the second half with a sore left knee, curled a shot between two defenders to record his team-leading fifth goal. The goal gave Colorado (4-2-2) its first lead before the 60th minute this season.

“There were a lot of people out in front,” Sanchez said. “I had no choice but to put the ball on the back post.”

Clint Irwin posted his third shutout.

“Just a complete game by everyone,” Colorado Coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “The whole back wall did a good job of keeping the ball in front of them.”

Robbie Keane missed wide of the right post on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute for the Galaxy (2-2-2), which had its four-game unbeaten streak snapped.

Landon Donovan failed to become the career MLS scoring leader, remaining tied with Jeff Cunningham with 134 goals. He’s scoreless in all six league games he’s played this season.

“We missed a penalty kick,” Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena said. “You can’t do that.”