LA Galaxy soundly beaten by Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0

The LA Galaxy were throughly outplayed, falling to the Vancouver Whitecaps Saturday night before a sellout crowd at BC Place in British Columbia.

LA made wholesale changes to the starting lineup, with Robbie Rogers dropped in place of Todd Dunivant, Baggio Husidic starting on the left wing for Jose Villarreal, Tommy Meyer relieving an injured Leonardo and AJ DeLaGarza replacing Dan Gargan at right back. Robbie Keane, Gyasi Zardes and Jaime Penedo returned to the lineup from international duty.

Debuting their new blue secondary kits, the Galaxy were on the back foot the entire match. Often outmanned in the midfield, the tandem of Russell Teibert and Matias Laba created havoc, making it difficult for LA to keep possession or get anything going offensively. Thie Whitecaps attack was dangerous throughout, with Pedro Morales pulling the strings in midfield, Ketuka Manneh racing down the wings and Octavio Rivero causing lots of problems.

However despite Vancouver putting waves of pressure on the Galaxy, the Whitecaps weren't able to carve out many dangerous chances in the first half. Nicolas Mezquida got behind the LA defense and centered to Pedro Morales, but after skillfully turning, his shot from six yards out was weak and straight to Penedo.

In the 24th minute, a Steven Beitashour throw-in headed away by Omar Gonzalez eventually made its way to Kekuta Manneh, who wiggled his way into a screamer outside the 18 that was just high. The Galaxy's first shot came when Robbie Keane found Juninho from distance, but his blast was wide.

Near the end of the half, Mika Vayrynen started to hobble, eventually going down grimacing in pain, and had to be replaced by Robbie Rogers. The second half started just as frantic as the first. The contest was briefly stopped when Steven Beitashour collapsed with a knock to his Achilles heel, but he was able to return.

In the 56th minute, Vancouver fired home. A bad turnover gifted Russell Teibert plenty of space in the midfield. Teibert found a tightly marked Morales, but he managed to evade Omar Gonzalez and play a ball to Kekuta Manneh. With more space available, Manneh sprinted down the field with only Tommy Meyer to beat, turning inside Meyer and shooting low past a helpless Penedo.

Dunivant was subbed off for Edson Buddle in the 64th, which helped somewhat but the Whitecaps were still bossing the match. Bolstered by a thunderous crowd, Vancouver were clearly feeling it, peppering Penedo's goal with shots as LA were on the ropes.

In the 66th, Vancouver scored again. Omar Rivero drove to the end line and eventually Mezquida crossed low. Penedo coughed up the rebound and Rivero took advantage of a flat Galaxy defense, pouncing on a tap-in from close range for his 4th of the season.

The Galaxy tried to get things going offensively as Alan Gordon came on for Todd Dunivant late, but in spite of Edson Buddle's efforts, LA went down quietly.

The Galaxy head back home to battle the Seattle Sounders next week.