CARSON, Calif. – Robbie Keane had a goal and assist while Mike Magee added two goals as the LA Galaxy tore apart the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 at the Home Depot Center on Saturday.
The Galaxy’s victory helped keep Seattle at distance. The Sounders won 3-0 over D.C. United earlier on the night but the Galaxy remained seven points clear in the Supporters’ Shield race.
The win also helped the Galaxy move past Tuesday’s 2-1 loss in Morelia in a CONCACAF Champions League match. The Galaxy’s win should send the team into next Wednesday’s match against Alajuelense in Costa Rica with some confidence.
Vancouver’s first-half threats were limited to two shots within two minutes of one another. Shea Salinas created space for himself on the right side of the box and tried to curl a shot inside the left post but pushed it wide. Two minutes later, Eric Hassli had a look from the left side of the box and ripped a shot on goal but Saunders sprawled out and pushed the ball away.
Still, the hosts were in firm control of the match and finally broke through in the 40th minute. Keane took control of the ball on the left side of the penalty area, scampered down inside the box and hit a cross with the outside of his right foot to the top of the six-yard box. Magee came onto it and tucked the ball into the back of the net.
Vancouver tried to break through the Galaxy’s defense early in the second half as the visitors came out with some early possession but couldn’t make much of it.
It wasn’t until the 64th minute though that LA were able to quiet down Vancouver. The 'Caps let Bryan Jordan race down the right flank unmarked and Jordan took advantage, whipping a ball to the middle of the box towards Keane, who easily headed the ball past Vancouver 'keeper Joe Cannon.
Keane’s goal was his second in as many games – he scored the lone goal at Morelia – and now has three goals in four games with the Galaxy in all competitions.
Magee put the game on ice in the 75th minute when Jordan again created a goal. The right back did not have as much room as had prior but still picked Magee out inside the box and the veteran attacker hit a glancing header that settled just inside the left post.
LA improve to 16-3-10 and now hit the road for Costa Rica to face Alajuelense on Sept. 21 before traveling to Columbus three days later. Vancouver drop to 4-14-10 and remain winless on the road. They next host Cascadia rivals Seattle on Sept. 24 in the final game at Empire Field before the opening of BC Place.
Scoring Summary:
LA -- Mike Magee 4 (Robbie Keane 1, David Beckham 13) 40
LA -- Robbie Keane 2 (Bryan Jordan 1) 64
LA -- Mike Magee 5 (Bryan Jordan 2, David Beckham 14) 75
Misconduct Summary:
VAN -- Alain Rochat (caution; Tactical Foul) 17
VAN -- Gershon Koffie (caution; Reckless Tackle) 28
VAN -- Eric Hassli (caution; Dissent) 62
Lineups:
Vancouver Whitecaps -- Joe Cannon, Jonathan Leathers, Jay DeMerit, Alain Rochat, Jordan Harvey, Shea Salinas, Gershon Koffie (Jeb Brovsky 76), Peter Vagenas, Camilo, Eric Hassli (Mustapha Jarju 73), Davide Chiumiento (Long Tan 65).
Substitutes Not Used: Michael Boxall, Nizar Khalfan, Alexandre Morfaw, Jay Nolly.
LA Galaxy -- Josh Saunders, Bryan Jordan, Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant, Landon Donovan (Michael Stephens 78), David Beckham (Dan Keat 78), Chris Birchall, Mike Magee, Paolo Cardozo, Robbie Keane (Miguel Lopez 84).
Substitutes Not Used: Chad Barrett, Adam Cristman, Frankie Hejduk, Brian Perk.
Referee: Michael Kennedy
Referee's Assistants: George Gansner; Corey Parker
4th Official: Baldomero Toledo
Attendance: 22,959
Time of Game: 1:50
Weather: Clear and 68 degrees
