Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig (10) dribbles the ball as Colorado Rapids defender Andreas Maxsø (5) defends during the first half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Dejan Joveljic and Riqui Puig both had two goals and an assist to propel the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 5-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night in the opener of a best-of-three first-round series.
The second-seeded Galaxy took a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute and held it through halftime on a goal by Joveljic. Puig notched his first postseason assist on Joveljic's second career postseason goal. Joveljic scored once in two appearances and eight minutes of action in the 2022 playoffs. It was Puig's first assist in three postseason appearances — all starts.
John Nelson took a pass from fellow defender Miki Yamane and scored in the 52nd minute for a 2-0 lead. Puig followed with a goal two minutes later and LA cruised from there. Nelson netted his first postseason goal in his first appearance with the Galaxy. Nelson made two starts for FC Dallas in 2020. Yamane, a rookie, had six assists during the regular season. Joveljic picked up his first playoff assist on Puig's netter.
Joveljic polished off his brace with an unassisted goal in the 75th minute. Puig followed with a goal in the 87th minute with an assist from rookie Gabriel Pec to complete the rout.
John McCarthy finished without a save but earned a clean sheet in his first postseason start in goal for the Galaxy. McCarthy's only other playoff appearance came in a start for Inter Miami in 2020.
Zack Steffen saved six shots for the seventh-seeded Rapids in his ninth postseason start. The previous eight came with the Columbus Crew in 2017-18.
Colorado played without Djordje Mihailovic, who is out with an ankle injury.
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić (9) celebrates his goal with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) during the first half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round against the Colorado Rapids, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Colorado Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry (2) blocks the shot by Los Angeles Galaxy forward Joseph Paintsil (28) during the first half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig (10) dribbles as Colorado Rapids midfielder Oliver Larraz (18) defends during the first half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Joseph Paintsil (28) shoots as Colorado Rapids forward Kévin Cabral (91) defends during the first half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić (9) and Colorado Rapids defender Lalas Abubakar (6) battle for a header during the first half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Colorado Rapids forward Kévin Cabral, right, and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Edwin Cerrillo slide for the ball during the second half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić, right, and Colorado Rapids defender Andreas Maxsø battle for a header during the second half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Galaxy defender Miki Yamane (2) takes the ball away from Colorado Rapids forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes (27) during the second half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić (9) celebrates his goal with forward Joseph Paintsil (28), midfielder Riqui Puig (10), and forward Marco Reus (18) during the second half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round, Saturday against the Colorado Rapids, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Joseph Paintsil (28) blocks the shot by Colorado Rapids defender Reggie Cannon (4) during the second half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Galaxy defender John Nelson (14) celebrates his goal with midfielder Edwin Cerrillo (20) and forward Dejan Joveljić (9) during the second half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round against the Colorado Rapids, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig (10) scores a goal during the second half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round against the Colorado Rapids, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig (10) celebrates his goal during the second half of the first match of an MLS Cup playoffs opening round against the Colorado Rapids, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
