Watch: Howard plays hero to oust LA Galaxy on penalties

Tim Howard to the rescue.

The American shot-stopper turned aside a pair of penalties in Sunday's shootout against the LA Galaxy, helping Colorado come all the way back from a first-leg deficit to claim a 3-1 win from the spot, a result that sends the Rapids to the Western Conference final.

Read more: Colorado Rapids defeat LA Galaxy on penalties, advance to conference final

Howard, 37, turned aside Ashley Cole before making the decisive stop on Jeff Larentowicz, getting down to his right to clinch the result.

A modicum of credit - or blame, as it were - should also go to Giovani Dos Santos, as the Mexican star was the first to fail from the spot for the Galaxy when he sent a wayward effort into the crowd.