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PASADENA, California (Ticker) -- Greg Vanney's late penalty kick lifted the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the season opener for both teams. Vanney put home the penalty attempt in the 75th minute as he scored against Rapids 21-year-old rookie goalkeeper Adin Brown. Colorado defender Marcelo Balboa fouled Mauricio Cienfuegos inside the penalty area, sending the Galaxy to the penalty spot. Vanney collected the sixth game-winning goal of his four-year career with Los Angeles. Brown shut out the Galaxy in the first half but his clean sheet was ruined in the 60th minute when Galaxy forward Cobi Jones hammered a shot just underneath the crossbar. Jones collected Mauricio Cienfuegos' pass at the top of the box, moved across the penalty area and unleashed a blast that found the back of the net to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. Colorado forward Paul Bravo snapped the Rapids' league-record 742-minute goalless streak in the 64th minute, netting a penalty kick to knot the game. Bravo was awarded the kick when Los Angeles goalkeeper Kevin Hartman bowled him over in an effort to collect the ball at the top of the box. Los Angeles coach Sigi Schmid was not on the bench as he served a one-game suspension following remarks made about officials after the MLS Cup loss to D.C. United in November. Schmid returns next Saturday, when the Galaxy travel to RFK Stadium to face the United.
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