Gabriel Pec Handed Colorado the Game, and Colorado Didn't Waste a Second of It

The LA Galaxy flew into Commerce City on Saturday night looking like a team that had figured something out. João Klauss had three goals in his first two MLS appearances. Marco Reus had an assist 85 seconds into his season debut. Gabriel Pec was dangerous every time he touched the ball. This looked like a real contender.

Then Pec got himself sent off in the 76th minute for his second yellow — two dumb fouls, game over — and Colorado turned what was a genuinely competitive 1-1 match into a 4-1 statement that felt about twice as bad as the scoreline.

Darren Yapi made the opening goal look effortless. Twenty-second minute, Paxten Aaronson slid a ball into his path, Yapi beat Maya Yoshida with a step-over and buried it low to the right with his weaker foot. Just a gorgeous individual goal from a guy who wasn't even starting last week. Nico Hansen was in goal because Zack Steffen hurt his shoulder in training — first start for Hansen since August — and he was outstanding. Calm, reading the game well, making the saves he needed to make. Colorado needed him and he showed up.

LA got level just before the hour mark. Pec floated a cross to the back post, Klauss rose above everyone and headed it home. His third goal in three games. The Galaxy had momentum. The game was genuinely in the balance. And then Pec, who assisted the equalizer, went and earned his second yellow eleven minutes later on a cynical foul on Navarro, and that was that.

Once Colorado had the man advantage Alexis Manyoma came off the bench and scored his first goal for the club — Yapi squaring it, Manyoma burying it — and then Navarro did what Navarro does. Rosenberry came storming up from right back and unleashed a shot that the keeper could only parry, and Navarro was right there to tap it in. Four minutes later he got the ball in the top corner off a Wayne Frederick turnover steal and Colorado had four. First multi-goal game of the year for Navarro. Fifth of his Rapids career. The crowd went home very happy.

The thing is — and Rapids fans probably don't want to hear this — they might not have won this if Pec stays on the field. LA had the better of the second half before the red card. Klauss is a real problem for any defense. Reus still finds pockets nobody else can see. This Galaxy team is built differently than last year and it showed even in a loss. But the Pec red card was the kind of gift you can't give a team like Colorado, and they cashed it in completely.

Matt Wells talked postgame about being "dissatisfied" despite the win, which is either great coaching or performance art, take your pick. Rosenberry — who created a goal from centerback — called it a "mature" response to going a man up. He's not wrong. They didn't panic when it was 1-1 and they didn't let LA back in once they had the extra man. After the Portland win last week, back-to-back home results to open the season. Three road games coming up next. The Burgundy Boys are quietly 2-1-0 and playing with real purpose.

LA goes home licking their wounds but the bigger concern isn't the result — it's Pec. You can't be that player in that moment. The Galaxy had just tied the game. They were the better team. And he threw it away with two fouls that had no business happening. That's the kind of thing that derails what was shaping up to be a very good season.

[Photography by Anthony Martinez]