Robbie Keane, Ingacio Maganto and the rest of the Galaxy couldn’t find the back of the net.
By Tim Peterson
(Carson) – To sum up the game in one sentence – the Galaxy did not have a shot on goal. Vancouver had several including Kakuta Manneh’s blast in the 27th minute that beat Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe and gave the Whitecaps a 1-0 win over LA Saturday night before 20,219 at StubHub Center. The loss snapped a 29 game unbeaten streak for the Galaxy at home.
Rowe was in goal in place of starter Jaime Penedo who is playing for the Panamanian National team.
“You saw the game. We didn’t have a shot on goal. But I don’t think it was for lack of effort,” said Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena. “We should have shot a few times especially in the second half.”
No magical Alan Gordon headers for the Galaxy against Vancouver.
LA had some opportunities but couldn’t cash in. Edson Buddle had a blast in the 15th minute that sailed wide left. Robbie Keane, who made his first start since April 4 and played 90 minutes, had a shot from the left wing in the 27th minute but it was also wide of the net and grabbed by Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted.
The Whitecaps almost went up by two late in the first half when Cristian Techera hit the post to the right of Rowe.
“Vancouver played well. They were very good in the air. They dominated us in that way,” Arena said.
Alan Gordon substituted for Buddle in the 60th minute and almost got the equalizer with a tap in in front of the net. Later in the second half, Stefan Ishizaki fired a shot in the 62nd minute that was tipped before Ousted made a diving save.
Vancouver threatened again but just missed as Pedro Morales hit the post on a break away in the 72nd minute.
Four minutes of additional time were added at the end of regulation but it wasn’t enough for the Galaxy. Gordon’s cross pass in front of the net was unsuccessful on a late attempt.
The Galaxy also played without Robbie Rogers who is injured and Gyasi Zardes and Bradford Jamieson who both are with the U.S National team.
“It’s a little bit of a patchwork job right now,” Arena said.
It was LA’s first loss at StubHub since March 9, 2014 – the opening game against Real Salt Lake last year.
The Galaxy dropped to 5-5-6 with the defeat while the Whitecaps improved to 8-6-2.
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