The LA Galaxy (No. 2) visit the Colorado Rapids (No. 7) on Friday night to complete their best-of-3 first-round series.

• Dick’s Sporting Goods Park | Commerce City, Colorado

After a commanding 5-0 win in Game 1, the Galaxy are one win away from a chance to face No. 3 Real Salt Lake or No. 6 Minnesota United FC in the Western Conference semifinals on Nov. 23 or 24 ) Should Colorado force a Game 3, the series decider will be played on November 9th at Dignity Health Sports Park.

If a first round game is tied after regular time (90 minutes), no extra time will be played. A penalty shootout will take place immediately to determine the winner.

• Seeds: Western Conference No. 7
• Regular season: 50 points (15W-14L-5D)

The odds against the Rapids were already high due to injuries to key midfielders Djordje Mihailovic (ankle) and Cole Bassett (quad), but Saturday’s lopsided loss gave Chris Armas’ men an even steeper hill in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Now it’s a matter of life and death at home for Colorado, as the team enters Friday’s competitive game with a five-game losing streak. Two of those losses came at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, including a 3-1 setback to the Galaxy on Oct. 2.

A Rapids win in Game 2 would bring the series back to Dignity Health Sports Park, where the Galaxy are undefeated this season.

“I don’t think they’ve lost in this building all year,” Armas said after the game about the daunting task ahead. “So we know it’s a big challenge. We want to be the first team to beat them in this building.”

• Seeds: Western Conference No. 2
• Regular season: 64 points (19W-8L-7D)

In contrast, the Galaxy are riding high after their dominant playoff debut.

Riqui Puig and Dejan Joveljić each scored a brace while John Nelson opened his club account as LA showcased their attacking prowess with a stunning performance in front of the home fans.

The Galaxy also improved to a perfect 3W-0L-0D against Rapids this season, with Puig contributing 5g/1a in those three games. A fourth straight win would allow them to advance to the Western Conference semifinals.