Saying goodbye is the hardest part.
The Los Angeles Galaxy were eliminated from the MLS Playoffs on Sunday afternoon after a scoreless 120 minutes saw the second leg of the Western Conference semifinals go to penalty kicks.
Galaxy star, Giovani Dos Santos, sailed the second penalty kick and USMNT goalkeeper, Tim Howard, denied Ashley Cole and Jeff Larentowicz on back-to-back shots to seal the victory and send the Colorado Rapids on to the Western Conference Finals.
The game ended regulation with the Rapids leading 1-0, but a 1-1 final score on aggregate after the Galaxy secured a 1-0 victory at StubHub Center last Sunday.
Shklezen Gashi scored the game's only goal in the 36th minute when he blasted a golazo from just in front of the midfield as the rocket shot ricocheted off the top left corner of the post and into the right side of the net for the goal.
Never doubt Gashi from distance.
Looking at you, @Marc_Burch. #COLvLA #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/gNqSSZePJp — Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 6, 2016
Galaxy superstars Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane have likely played their last games in an LA uniform, and veteran midfielder, Landon Donovan, who came out of retirement for the final six games of the season will be forced with a decision to either retire again or return for next season.
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Howard, who was acquired by Colorado from Everton in the Premiere League in June, was by far the man of the match as he kept a clean sheet for 120 minutes and then saved not one, but two penalty kicks to send the Rapids into the next round where they will likely meet the Seattle Sounders who currently lead FC Dallas by a 3-0 aggregate score headed into the second leg.
Howard the hero. #COLvLA #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/zE3srN1qqd — Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 6, 2016
