INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Los Angeles Galaxy @ Vancouver Whitecaps
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
BC Place Stadium
The Los Angeles Galaxy and the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL First Division battled to a scoreless draw on Wednesday night in an international friendly in front of 48,172 fans at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, who made his first appearance in Canada with the Galaxy, played 73 minutes before being replaced by defender Chris Albright.
Despite a slow start from the opening whistle, the Galaxy picked up the pace in the eighth minute earning their first scoring chance of the match. Los Angeles forward Landon Donovan ran on to a pass and proceeded to out run two defenders before serving a low pass just out of the reach of a charging Edson Buddle inside the box.
The Whitecaps responded with two chances in the 10th and 12th minutes, respectively. Vancouver midfielder Jeff Clarke unleashed a low shot from the top of the box which was easily collected by Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon. On the second, Whitecaps midfielder Martin Nash sent a direct freekick from 20 yards out directly into the wall.
In the 25th minute, Martin ran on to a perfectly timed through ball in behind the Galaxy's defense for the second time. Martin's cross into the box for Roger Levesque at the near post, but Cannon charged off his line meeting Levesque at the ball and blocking his shot clear.
Vancouver earned their best scoring chance of the first half in the 30th minute as the Whitecaps' Roger Levesque slipped a pass through for forward Eduardo Sebrango, who was tripped up by Galaxy 'keeper Joe Cannon. On the ensuing penalty kick, Sebrango struck a low shot down the middle as Cannon dove to his right, but the Galaxy 'keeper made a stunning save with his legs to deny the Whitecaps.
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In the second half, the Galaxy looked to press the issue playing more direct long balls up front which began to pay off. Forward Edson Buddle beat a defender and blasted a shot from inside the box that forced a leaping save from Whitecaps 'keeper Matt Nelson.
In 56th minute, the match was disrupted as a man ran, streaking, onto the field and halted play for a few minutes before being taken away by stadium security. Not to be out done, the match also had a second half wedding proposal. She said "Yes".
Back to the real action on the field, the Whitecaps' Nash hit an ambitious strike on a direct kick from 35 yards, but halftime substitutie Steve Cronin made the save in net for the Galaxy.
Despite several late attempts to steal the victory, shots from the Galaxy's Josh Tudela and the Whitecaps' Darren Spicer , the match went into the books as a 0-0 final.
Next up, the LA Galaxy are headed to Minnesota for a friendly against the Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division at 3:30 p.m. (PT) on Sunday, November 11 at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
Scoring Summary
None
Statistics: |
LA |
VAN |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Shots |
3(0) |
12(6) |
|
Saves |
6(3) |
1(0) |
|
Fouls |
14(7) |
15(5) |
|
Offsides |
1(0) |
6(4) |
|
Corners |
3(0) |
0(0) |
|
(#) = First Half |
LA Galaxy: Joe Cannon (Steve Cronin 46'), Kelly Gray, Troy Roberts, Ante Jazic, Mike Randolph, Kevin Harmse (Cobi Jones 74'), Peter Vagenas (Josh Tudela 46'), Chris Klein, David Beckham (Chris Albright 73'), Landon Donovan (Carlos Pavon 62'), Edson Buddle (Kyle Veris 85').
SUBS NOT USED: Lance Friesz, Mike Caso.
Vancouver Whitecaps: Matt Nelson, Taylor Graham, Adrian Cann, Steve Kindel, Lyle Martin (Geordie Lyall 72'), Martin Nash (Josh Hansen 84') Jeff Clarke, Alfredo Valente (Joey Worthen 46'), Tony Donatelli (Jay Alberts 46'), Eduardo Sebrango (Darren Spicer 60'), Roger Levesque (Jason Jordan 72').
SUBS NOT USED: Lutz Pfannenstiel, Omar Jarun, David Morris, Randy Edwini-Bonsu.
Misconduct Summary
LA - Joe Cannon (Caution) 30'
LA - Landon Donovan (Caution) 38'
LA - Chris Klein (Caution) 64'
VAN - Adrian Cann (Caution) 65'
LA - Kelly Gray (Caution) 82'
LA Galaxy Post-Game Quotes:
LA Galaxy Interim Head Coach Trevor James
On the game:
"For an exhibition game, it was very competitive...Overall, it was a good run for us and I hope that it was for the Whitecaps as well. In training yesterday, we worked on trying to play a little bit longer and passing the ball longer. In the first half, we didn't do that and tried to play everything short and they kept stepping on us and stealing the ball. In the second half, we were a little bit more direct and tried to cut out a pass or two on the build up."
On the fans, atmosphere and possibly joining MLS:
"Fantastic, the atmosphere in the stadium was good. We have all seen what happened in Toronto and I think that this is as big, if not a bigger soccer market. "
LA Galaxy Midfielder David Beckham
On the game:
"It was a great atmosphere and great that so many people came out and watched the game. It was a shame that there were not any goals but I hope that they enjoyed it with the streaker and other things."
On the play of the Whitecaps:
"We knew that they were going to come at us and that they have a few players that are pretty dangerous and they pass the ball around pretty well. They played well tonight."
On his fitness:
"I am still trying to get my fitness back and this was my second game in four days. So, I felt okay, but my fitness will pick up in the next few games as well."
